Rockies Sign Tomoyuki Sugano to $5.1M Deal; Kris Bryant Moved to 60-Day IL

The Colorado Rockies and right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano agreed to a one-year, $5.1 million contract on Tuesday in Scottsdale.

The Colorado Rockies finalized a one-year Tomoyuki Sugano contract worth $5.1 million on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 36-year-old right-handed pitcher joins the National League West rotation following a stint with the Baltimore Orioles, where he posted a 10-10 record across 30 starts. During his tenure in Maryland last season, Sugano maintained a 4.64 ERA. This agreement follows a previous one-year, $13 million deal he signed with Baltimore in December 2024.

To accommodate the veteran pitcher on the 40-man roster, Colorado placed infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant on the 60-day injured list. Bryant, who signed a massive seven-year, $182 million contract in March 2022, has struggled with availability throughout his tenure in Denver. The utility player has been limited to just 170 total games since joining the club. This roster adjustment ensures the Rockies have the necessary flexibility to integrate their newest pitching acquisition into the active lineup for the upcoming campaign.

Historical Context for Japanese Players in Colorado

Sugano makes history as the sixth Japanese-born player to suit up for the Rockies franchise. He joins a lineage that includes right-hander Masato Yoshii and infielder Kazuo Matsui, the latter of whom played for the team from 2006 to 2007. Other notable Japanese pitchers in club history include Jeff McCurry (1997), Craig House (2000), and Mac Suzuki (2001). Sugano arrives with a decorated international resume, having spent 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball.

During his time in Japan's Central League, the right-hander secured three Most Valuable Player awards. His dominance in NPB led to a high-profile role for the Japanese national team during the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In a semifinal matchup against the United States, Sugano delivered a standout performance, surrendering only three hits over six innings of work. He has officially committed to representing Japan again in the WBC this year, balancing international duties with his new responsibilities in Colorado.

Pitching Profile and Career Statistics

The Rockies are banking on the durability Sugano displayed in Baltimore, where he successfully navigated a full 30-start workload. His transition to Major League Baseball followed a decade of excellence in the Yomiuri Giants' rotation. The $5.1 million commitment represents a significant decrease from the $13 million salary he commanded just one year prior. By adding a three-time NPB MVP, the Colorado front office aims to stabilize a rotation that will now operate without the immediate services of Bryant on the active roster.

Sugano's ability to limit damage was evident in his previous World Baseball Classic appearance, where he stifled a potent American lineup. His 4.64 ERA in the American League East serves as the most recent benchmark for his performance against MLB hitters. As he prepares for the upcoming season, the veteran right-hander brings a wealth of experience from both the Central League and the Orioles' recent campaign to the high-altitude environment of Coors Field.