Sugano joins Rockies' rotation mix with 'two main objectives'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano admitted struggling at times last season, when he joined the Majors after a lengthy and star-studded career in Japan. But his decision to sign with the Rockies shows that he clearly doesn’t mind challenges.

Sugano, 36, joined the Orioles a year ago after a 12-season career with the Yomiuri Giants during which he won three Central League MVP awards and two Sawamura Awards (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young). Sugano led Baltimore in starts (30) and innings pitched (157) while posting a 4.64 ERA, but also led the American League in homers against (33).

The Rockies, however, signed Sugano for his strike-zone performance (2.1 walks per nine innings, against 6.1 strikeouts per nine), and to add a layer of experience to a staff that was frightfully inexperienced until a recent spate of free-agent signings. As for the rest, Sugano and the Rockies will work on that.

“The amount of home runs that I gave up, I want to decrease that amount,” Sugano said through interpreter Yuto Sakurai. “But at the same time, I don’t want to be afraid to throw strikes, so I’m making sure I have the mentality of attacking hitters. Those will be my two main objectives.

“I’ve been told that at Coors Field, the off-speed stuff doesn’t move as much, compared to other stadiums. But at the same time, I want to improve my splitter, making sure I execute it really well.”

Pitching coach Alon Leichman, assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas and bullpen coach Matt Buschmann have dug into Sugano’s history.

“Specifically, he needs to get ahead more against left-handers,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “That’s a big focus for the entire group, not just for Sugano. These guys have fresh ideas with how to do that. But we all know that he attacks the strike zone with all his pitches.

What Sugano can bring outweighs what he needs to add.

While Sugano, Michael Lorenzen and Jose Quintana -- whose one-year agreement went official Thursday -- join Kyle Freeland, Ryan Feltner and Antonio Senzatela to offer the potential of a seasoned rotation, the future is young. Righties Tanner Gordon, Chase Dollander and McCade Brown are 2025 rookies trying to force their way in, and recent high Draft picks Sean Sullivan (Rockies No. 12 prospect) and Gabriel Hughes (No. 14) shouldn’t be far behind.

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The Rockies believe Sugano can influence younger pitchers with the way he works and adapts. Sugano said his role in Baltimore was similar.

“I connected well, especially with the pitchers,” Sugano said. “Obviously, the younger guys will come up to me and ask questions. I hope to do the same over here, and this organization expects that from me as well.”

Right-handed reliever Jeff Criswell, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Quintana.

WHEN THE VETS ARE AWAY …

The World Baseball Classic will take four potential veteran starters -- Sugano (Japan), Lorenzen (Italy), Senzatela (Venezuela) and Quintana (Colombia). The Rockies could turn their absences into advantages.

“We were actually talking about that this morning with a couple of our younger pitchers, like, ‘Even though we signed some of these guys, there’s going to be real opportunity during camp to show what you can do, show the adjustments that you’ve made,’” president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta said. “In reality, I’d love for these guys to be around, because it’s also great for the younger players to be around these types of professionals. But they will have a chance to do that, also, so maybe it’s the best of both worlds.”

COMMITTEE STRATEGY

Righty Seth Halvorsen, who led the Rockies with 11 saves last season, was considered the team’s primary closer before going to the IL with a right elbow injury in early August. But righty Victor Vodnik added 10 saves and is back as part of a young bullpen that was by far the 2025 team’s most effective unit.

The talent of the unit leads to an uncommon strategy.

“With our bullpen being our core strength, we’re not going to name a closer,” Schaeffer said. “It might be where we are searching for the best matchups in high leverage, and putting those guys in the best position to help us. Seth, Vodnik, Jaden Hill, Jimmy Herget can pitch in the back end. Brennan Bernadino is going to be able to match up at the back end.

“That takes extreme communication, which we are going to be very good at. Our bullpen coach, Matt Buschmann, will have a very good idea of the way we’re going to try to use these guys on a nightly basis, and it will be relayed to them.”