After signing Outfielder Tyler O’Neil and Catcher Gary Sanchez last week, The Orioles switched the focus to their pitching depth yesterday as they signed right hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one year deal with the team.
Sogano has played his entire 12 year baseball career in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants. Over the course of his career, Sogano has won the Sawamura Award (the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award in MLB) twice, has been a three time MVP and 8 time all-star. Since he came into the league in 2013, he has a combined win loss record of 136-74 and a career 2.43 ERA.
Sogano is the third Japanese born player to sign with the Orioles, with the former players being Koji Uehara, who signed with the team in 2009, and Shintaro Fujinami who came in a trade from the Athletics in 2023. It’s not clear whether the Orioles envision him as a bullpen arm or as a starter, however pitchers and catchers report in February, we’ll be able to see where he will fit into the pitching depth.
Including the addition of Tomoyuki Sugano, the Orioles 40 man roster currently sits at 39.
Charm City Sports 