TORONTO — Orioles right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano exited his first career start Sunday against the Blue Jays after four innings because of cramping, the club announced.
Sugano went out to the mound to warm up for the bottom of the fifth but had a conference with head athletic trainer Scott Barringer, manager Brandon Hyde and pitching coach Drew French that resulted in the 35-year-old leaving the game to be replaced by right-hander Matt Bowman. Sugano had his right hand checked out and remained in the dugout for the rest of the inning before heading into the tunnel.
Making the first MLB appearance of his career after signing a one-year, $13 million deal with the Orioles this offseason, Sugano finished with two runs allowed on four hits, two walks and a strikeout. He threw 73 pitches (45 strikes) and was on the hook for the loss with the Orioles trailing 2-1 at the time of his departure.
With the Orioles scheduled for a day off Tuesday, Sugano would be on turn to make his next start Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.
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