TORONTO—Sunday, Tomoyuki Sugano will start his first game for the Orioles in the final of a four-game series against the Blue Jays.
Manager Brandon Hyde hasn’t spoken with the 35-year-old Japanese right-hander who exceled in 12 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants. Sugano was 15-3 with a 1.62 ERA, and showed superb control walking just 16 in 156 2/3 innings, less than one per nine innings and just six home runs.
“I assume anybody who’s making their first start would be excited and have some butterflies about it,” Hyde said. “We’re all looking forward to watching him pitch.”
Sugano seemed to adjust well to the major leagues in spring training. He was used to what seemed like a media onslaught to Baltimore reporters. The Japanese media following him often doubled or tripled the local press.
That didn’t faze him. The Yomiuri Giants were like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees. Some media outlets would send five reporters to a game.
Sugano is pitching fourth in the Orioles’ rotation behind Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton and Dean Kremer.
“When you’re slotting guys, you’re looking at opponents and days off for the first three weeks to a month,” Hyde said. “We felt the No. 4 spot for Tomo was good to start the year with. He gets three games to get a look at what it’s like. I know he’s excited.”
In spring training, Sugano had a 3.00 ERA and struck out 15 in 15 innings. Last season, he struck out 6.4 per nine innings.
Hyde has been impressed with his velocity.
“Got him up to 93, 94 the last couple of starts with really good command,” he said. “He’s also got the cutter to keep guys off balance and a breaking ball. It’s the command of the fastball to the corners that’s going to make him so effective.”
Orioles with distinct international flavor
Sugano is one of 12 Japanese players who were on Opening Day rosters, and the Orioles have 12 players who weren’t born in the United States, tied with Miami for fourth most in baseball.
The 12 Orioles were born in six foreign countries, tied for fourth with Atlanta, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Toronto.
Besides Japan, the Orioles have outfielder Tyler O’Neill (Canada), relievers Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez (Cuba), Félix Bautista, Seranthony Domínguez, Ramón Lauerano, Jorge Mateo, Gary Sánchez, Gregory Soto (Dominican Republic), Albert Suárez (Venezuela) and Ramón Urías (Mexico).
Note: Gunnar Henderson played eight innings at shortstop, made two errors and was 1-for-4 in Triple-A Norfolk’s 9-3 loss to Durham. It was Henderson’s second rehab game. He’s on the 10-day injured list with a strained right intercostal muscle. Designated hitter Samuel Basallo homered.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I answer Orioles questions. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com