CONFIRM: Orioles sign pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to 1-year contract after MVP season in Japan

BALTIMORE — Tomoyuki Sugano is headed to the major leagues at last.

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the star Japanese right-hander Monday night. Sugano is coming off an MVP season — his third — in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. The 35-year-old spent 12 years with the Yomiuri Giants.

He was posted by the Giants following the 2020 season and was available for major league teams to bid on, but he did not agree to a deal.

Sugano went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA last season, walking only 16 batters in 156 2/3 innings. He added another MVP award after winning in 2014 and 2020.

Sugano pitched for Japan at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and allowed three hits in six innings in the semifinal against the United States.

The Orioles have some pitching questions after making the postseason each of the past two seasons. Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes is a free agent, and starters Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells were both sidelined last year following Tommy John surgery. Grayson Rodriguez missed time down the stretch because of a lat injury.

If Burnes doesn’t come back, Rodriguez, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer figure to be in the rotation, but it remains to be seen how much adding the Orioles do the rest of this offseason.

Sugano represents another option with some potential upside on a low-risk deal — although he can’t be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent.

In addition to the $13 million salary, Sugano can earn several award bonuses: $50,000 for All-Star selection or election; $100,000 for a Cy Young Award, $75,000 for second place and $50,000 for third; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP. He’ll become a free agent when the contract expires.

Related Posts

🔥 INSIDER REPORT: Cubs have complete control in Matt Shaw trade talks! Rival teams are desperate, but Chicago is holding firm with a shocking demand that could turn the entire trade market upside down. Will Matt Shaw’s future be decided by one bold move?

Cubs Hold All Leverage in Matt Shaw Trade Talks: Chicago Looks to Maximize Value Before Moving Young Talent As the MLB offseason continues to roll along, rumors…

⚡ INSIDE HEARTWARMER: MLB Stаr Jаrren Durаn Turnѕ Perѕonаl Pаіn іnto “Puррy Hаven” Trіumрh! Amіd whіѕрerѕ of hіѕ own ѕtruggleѕ, the Boѕton рowerhouѕe lаuncheѕ а ѕаnctuаry thаt’ѕ ѕаvіng lіveѕ аnd ѕраrkіng аdoрtіon frenzy—could thіѕ furry ѕаnctuаry be the key to hіѕ redemрtіon ѕtory аnd а new erа for ѕtrаyѕ іn the cіty? The ѕрortѕ world іѕ buzzіng wіth аwe аnd unаnѕwered queѕtіonѕ!

іn а move thаt hаѕ cарtured the heаrtѕ of mіllіonѕ, Boѕton Red ѕox outfіelder Jаrren Durаn hаѕ mаde а рrofound іmраct off the fіeld wіth the lаunch of “рuррy…

🚨 MLB DRAMA: Frank Thomas Responds After White Sox’s Shocking Black History Month Post Snub — Is This the Beginning of a Bigger Rift? The Iconic Hall of Famer Is Not Holding Back! 👇

Frank Thomas Hits Back at White Sox After Glaring Black History Month Post Snub By Yasmin Edañol February 2, 2026 at 9:28 AM ET Chicago — Frank…

🚨 NETFLIX DROPS TRAILER FOR “MOOKIE BETTS: THE MIND THAT REDEFINED BASKETBALL” — A DOCUMENTARY THAT’S SHAKING THE SPORTS WORLD 🚨 In an unexpected twist, Netflix’s new documentary on Mookie Betts is already being hailed as one of the most intellectually powerful and emotionally grounded portraits of an athlete ever. Don’t miss the premiere!

Netflix Unveils “Mookie Betts: The Mind That Redefined Basketball,” a Documentary Already Rewriting How Greatness Is Understood When Netflix quietly released the official trailer for “Mookie Betts:…

🚨 BREAKING: BOSTON RED SOX RELEASE TWO ROOKIES FOR UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND LACK OF TEAM CULTURE FIT 🚨 In а ѕhockіng move, the Boѕton Red Sox hаve releаѕed two rookіeѕ over unрrofeѕѕіonаl behаvіor аnd fаіlure to аlіgn wіth the teаm’ѕ culture. Whаt doeѕ thіѕ meаn for the future of the teаm?

BOѕTON — іn а ѕurрrіѕe eаrly‑offѕeаѕon move thаt’ѕ mаkіng heаdlіneѕ throughout Mаjor Leаgue Bаѕebаll, the Boѕton Red ѕox hаve аnnounced the releаѕe of two rookіe рlаyerѕ thіѕ week for…

🚨 BRAVES FANS SHOCKED: Atlanta Set to Remove $30M All-Star from Rotation and Sign Lucas Giolito — What Does This Bold Move Mean for the Team’s Future? Is Giolito the Missing Piece to Push Them to the Next Level? Fans Are Stunned! 👇

Braves Predicted to Remove $30M All-Star from Rotation, Sign Lucas Giolito Published: February 02, 2026 at 12:33 PM ESTBy Aaliyan Mohammed, Contributing Sports Writer As the Atlanta…