The Kanagawa native is the Orioles' first free-agent pitcher signing this offseason. Sugano had a stellar year in Japan this past season, throwing a whopping 1.67 ERA in 156.2 innings, giving up just 16 walks and striking out 111 hitters.
Baltimore, who were looking to bolster their starting rotation this offseason, now have a veteran who will be the second oldest player on the roster by just two days (Albert Suarez, 35, born on October 8th).
Sugano is a three-time Central League MVP and won the Eiji Sawamura Award in back-to-back years (2017-2018) for the Yomiuri Giants, the first player in franchise history to win both awards since Masumi Kuwata, who eventually played in only one MLB season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 2018, Sugano won the pitching triple crown and threw a no-hitter against the Yakult Swallows during the Giants' postseason run.
Sugano was available for MLB teams to pick up in 2020 but was never signed. There are some concerns about his health after he refused to play in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
Sugano has a career 2.45 ERA with 1596 strikeouts and 352 walks in 1873.1 innings pitched.