Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
According to reports out of Japan (Hochi Sports), right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano traveled to the United States on Friday to meet with his agent, Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Baseball, to discuss their options.
Reportedly, concerns over COVID-19’s effects in America are still weighing heavily on the right-hander’s mind. Regarding the uncertainty of the situation, Sugano told reporters, “I want to make a choice without regrets”.
Sugano, 31, has spent eight seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese Central League in the Nippon Professional Baseball League, pitching to a 2.32 career ERA with 1,214 strikeouts, 235 walks, 1.03 WHIP, and 0.6 home runs allowed per nine innings.
Over 20 outings for the Giants in 2020, Sugano struck out 131 batters in 137.1 innings, walking 25 with a 1.97 ERA.
Last week, Jon Morosi of MLB Network listed the Mets, Giants, Padres, Blue Jays, and Red Sox as teams that “remain in pursuit”. Per NPB posting terms, Sugano has until January 7 to sign with an MLB team.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.
