SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. \u2014 Tomoyuki Sugano wants another shot at Shohei Ohtani.\n<\/p>\n
The Rockies\u2019 new right-hander should get his wish, now that he\u2019s pitching in the National League West, where the Dodgers\u2019 superstar resides.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have a set game plan going in to face Shohei Ohtani yet,\u201d Sugano said Monday through interpreter Yuto Sakarai after throwing his first live batting practice of spring training. \u201cLast year, he hit two home runs off me, so as a Japanese player, I would like to attack him and try to be productive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sugano has faced Ohtani in only one game in the majors. Just two at-bats, in fact, as a starter for Baltimore last season. That was on Sept. 7 when Ohtani connected for his 47th and 48th home runs in his first two at-bats in the Dodgers\u2019\u00a0 5-2 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.\n<\/p>\n
Ohtani and Sugano, shining stars in Japan, were both first-round selections in the 2012 Nippon Professional Baseball draft. Ohtani was selected by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Sugoan was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants. The pair faced each other only once in Japan, when Ohtani went 2 for 3 with a double on June 10, 2015.\n<\/p>\n
Last week, the Rockies, looking to add a veteran presence to their rotation, signed the 36-year-old Sugano to a one-year, $5.1 million contract. He is scheduled to depart camp on Tuesday to pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. It will be his second WBC, following his participation in the 2017 tournament.\n<\/p>\n
The Rockies signed Sugano because of his vast experience, believing he would have a positive impact on Colorado\u2019s stable of young starters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect the ultimate professional,\u201d manager Warren Schaeffer said. \u201cI expect him to fill up the strike zone. I expect him to take the ball every fifth day, just like he has his entire career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect him to provide ideas of leadership. I had dinner with him the other night, and he is just a fantastic human being. I\u2019m so excited to have him around. But on the field, I look for consistency in the strike zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lefty Kyle Freeland, entering his 10th season with the Rockies, welcomes Sugano\u2019s presence.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI liked that he\u2019s begun to pick my brain early, especially about pitching at Coors Field,\u201d Freeland said. \u201cWe will get into some particulars later in camp, but we\u2019ve already talked about fitness, staying hydrated, and the importance of getting enough sleep at altitude, in Colorado.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sugano joined the Orioles a year ago after a 12-season career with Yomiuri,\u00a0 during which he won three Central League MVP awards and two Sawamura Awards (Japan\u2019s equivalent of the Cy Young). But he admittedly struggled with the Orioles in his first season in the majors.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
He was a workhorse, as he\u2019s been throughout his career, leading Baltimore in starts (30) and innings pitched (157) while posting a 4.64 ERA. However, he also led the American League in homers allowed (33).\n<\/p>\n
One of the things the Rockies are stressing with all of their pitchers is getting ahead in counts, something the Rockies failed to do much of the time during their 119-loss 2025 season. Sugano should set an example.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m focused on attacking the zone as much as I can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s worked well for him throughout his career. Last season, he allowed just 2.1 walks per nine innings. However, the right-hander\u2019s 15.1% strikeout rate was among the lowest in the majors. He\u2019s not a flame-thrower \u2014 92.7 mph average four-seamer, 92.9 mph average sinker \u2014 so he competes with guile and a versatile arsenal.\n<\/p>\n
Sugano said he understands that for all he accomplished in Japan, he still has a lot to prove in MLB \u2014 especially in Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of the accolades I had in Japan, I left in Japan,\u201d he said. \u201cI only think about being successful over here.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the record, Sugano\u2019s possible first chance to face Ohtani again will be when the Dodgers come to Colorado for a four-game series, April 17-20.<\/p>\n
WBC roster<\/p>\n
The Rockies have 12 players scheduled to compete in the World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5. However, no Rockies are playing for Team USA.\n<\/p>\n
The Rockies scheduled to play in the WBC are:<\/p>\n
Right-handed pitchers Antonio Senzatela (Venezuela), Michael Lorenzen (Italy), Victor Vodnik (Mexico), Juan Mejia (Dominican Republic), and Sugano (Japan)
\nLeft-handed pitchers Jose Quintana (Colombia) and Brennan Bernardino (Mexico)
\nInfielders Ezequiel Tovar (Venezuela) and Edouard Julien (Canada)
\nInfielder\/outfielders Willi Castro (Puerto Rico), Troy Johnston (Israel) and Cole Carrigg (Israel)<\/p>\n
Injury news<\/p>\n
The Rockies opened camp in relatively good shape. Infielder\/outfielder Tyler Freeman has been slowed by back soreness, but he is on the road back. He began running on Feb. 12 and started taking grounders on Feb. 13.\n<\/p>\n
Designated hitter Kris Bryant, diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disk disease last season, was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 10. He\u2019ll miss all of spring training, and there is a chance he will never play baseball again.\n<\/p>\n
And right-hander Jeff Criswell, who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, remains on the 60-day IL. He began throwing off the mound last Thursday and the Rockies are looking toward mid-April for Crisell to begin pitching in games.<\/p>\n