Will 36-Year-Old Japanese Pitcher Receive Another MLB Opportunity Thanks to the World Baseball Classic?

There are still some pitchers who have yet to sign with an MLB team, and Tomoyuki Sugano is one of them. He spent 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball in his native Japan before making the move to the MLB last offseason. To begin his MLB career, the now 36-year-old Japanese pitcher was a member of the Baltimore Orioles, throwing 30 games for them during the 2025 season. As with many international signings, there are always questions about the player’s ability to transfer skills to a new environment. However, Sugano’s transition to a new league across the globe did not seem to bother him, as he settled nicely into a role in the Orioles' rotation, serving as a stable presence amongst chaos early on in the year. 

Overall, Sugano had modest stats of 10 wins, 10 losses, and a 4.64 earned run average. While his numbers do not jump off the page, they reflect a veteran pitcher who possesses the ability to keep his team competitive. When he gets in a rhythm, the 36-year-old can go deep into games and give his team’s bullpen rest, as he had five starts where he pitched seven innings or more and allowed three runs or less. His flashes of brilliance may be on display soon for the world to see, as a huge opportunity awaits the veteran pitcher. 

In a little bit more than a month, the World Baseball Classic will take place. This will be Sugano’s second time representing Japan at the WBC. He had a great tournament in 2017, striking out 16 batters across three starts. This time around, the 36-year-old can be a vital part of Japan’s pitching staff alongside superstar Shohei Ohtani. The international tournament is not only a stage for star players to represent their heritage, but also an opportunity for solid contributors, like Sugano, to showcase their value and abilities to MLB teams. Teams across the league may have doubts about the veteran pitcher’s age right now, but a strong performance at the WBC could earn him one more chance with a team looking to round out their rotation.