Rockies Sign Tomoyuki Sugano, Place Kris Bryant on 60-Day Injured List
The Colorado Rockies have strengthened their pitching rotation by signing veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract worth approximately $5.1 million. This move comes as the team places outfielder Kris Bryant on the 60-day injured list.
Tomoyuki Sugano’s Background and Performance
Tomoyuki Sugano, 36, is a name recognized from his successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Before joining Major League Baseball (MLB), he had a notable tenure with the Yomiuri Giants. Sugano contemplated making the leap to the MLB earlier but chose to remain in Japan due to a lucrative four-year deal worth $40 million.
He made his MLB debut last season, signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. During his inaugural season, he made 30 appearances, accumulating 157 innings pitched with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.64. While Sugano had a commendable walk rate of 5.3%, his strikeout rate of 15.1% ranked low among MLB pitchers, raising concerns.
Concerns about Home Runs
One of the pressing issues during Sugano’s 2025 season was his vulnerability to home runs. He allowed 33 homers, the most in the American League and the third-highest across the MLB, averaging 1.89 home runs per nine innings. This phenomenon is particularly concerning for Sugano, given the notorious hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field.
Impact on the Rockies’ Rotation
The Rockies entered the offseason seeking significant upgrades in their rotation. Alongside Sugano, the team has also brought in Michael Lorenzen, providing them with veteran options to reinforce their pitching staff. Other slated rotation members include Kyle Freeland and Ryan Feltner, with top prospect Chase Dollander contending for a spot as well.
- Tomoyuki Sugano – New Signing
- Michael Lorenzen – Recent Addition
- Kyle Freeland – Established Starter
- Ryan Feltner – Veteran Option
- Chase Dollander – Top Prospect
Despite some early struggles, Dollander showed promise on the road with a 3.46 ERA. However, his home performance has room for improvement, as he posted a high ERA at Coors Field.
Kris Bryant’s Injury Update
In a related move, Kris Bryant has been placed on the 60-day injured list due to a degenerative back condition. The 34-year-old has faced significant injury challenges, playing only 11 games last season and accumulating just 170 games over the four seasons of his current contract. His return to action remains uncertain, and the Rockies will provide updates as the spring training progresses.
This placement means that Bryant will miss at least the first 57 days of the 2026 season. Although unfortunate, this development is not entirely unexpected given his previous injury history.
Future Considerations for the Rockies
The Rockies’ current payroll stands at roughly $114.5 million, with luxury tax obligations totaling about $132 million. As they navigate a rebuilding phase under new leadership, including president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes, the Rockies seek to develop their roster strategically.
If Sugano or Lorenzen show promising performance in the first half of the season, they could become valuable trade assets for teams looking to bolster their rotation depth. For now, they serve as reliable options to guide the Rockies through a challenging MLB season.
