Orioles Sign Tomoyuki Sugano to One-Year Contract

On Monday evening, the Baltimore Orioles made a significant addition to their roster by signing longtime NPB star Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract. The deal, managed by VC Sports Group, guarantees Sugano $13 million. With an open spot on the 40-man roster, no additional moves were required to accommodate this signing.

Sugano, who will turn 35 in his upcoming debut season in Major League Baseball, is celebrated as one of Japan's premier pitchers. Standing at 6'1", the right-hander has spent 12 years with the Yomiuri Giants, compiling an impressive 2.43 ERA over more than 1800 innings in NPB.

Sugano has been on the radar of MLB scouts for several years. His name gained notable attention when the Yomiuri Giants posted him during the 2020-21 offseason after he recorded a stellar 1.97 ERA in his age-30 season. Despite attracting interest from various MLB teams, Sugano chose to stay in Japan, signing a four-year contract worth $40 million with the Giants.

Now, as Sugano transitions to MLB, he brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record to Baltimore. Orioles fans and baseball enthusiasts alike will be keenly watching to see how Sugano performs on the MLB stage and how his presence will bolster the Orioles' pitching staff.