Tomoyuki Sugano joins Orioles aiming for championship

The Baltimore Orioles are entering the 2025 spring training with renewed optimism, led by new signing Tomoyuki Sugano, who is eager to win a championship. Sugano, a former standout in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, signed a one-year, $13 million contract and expressed his ambitions to his teammates upon arrival at camp. Despite losing key players like Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, the Orioles' roster still boasts significant talent and confidence. Sugano's successful track record, including a career ERA of 2.43 in Japan, positions him as a pivotal figure for the team's aspirations this season. However, he faces challenges adapting to Major League Baseball, including a pitch clock and a different rotation structure. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has praised Sugano's winning mentality, which the team hopes will contribute to their success this year.