Tomoyuki Sugano
Breakdown
Performance
NewsPowered by
Powered by
July 18, 2026
Quality start in return from IL
Sugano (9-4) earned the win against the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three across 6.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.
Analysis
Sugano was activated from the 15-day IL ahead of Saturday's start after recovering from back spams that flared up in early July. There was less pressure on his shoulders after the Rockies' offense lit up Rhett Lowder for eight runs, but Sugano did his part by limiting the Reds to just three runs through six-plus innings, with two of those runs coming on solo homers from Jose Trevino. It was the fifth quality start of the season for Sugano, and he's now one win shy from matching his total in 2025 as a member of the Orioles. He'll take a 4.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 90.2 innings into his next start, tentatively lined up for next weekend on the road against the Brewers.
July 18, 2026
Activated ahead of start
The Rockies reinstated Sugano (back) from the injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Reds.
Analysis
Sugano never made any rehab starts in the minors after landing on the injured list July 4 with back spasms, so he could be working under a pitch-count restriction while he makes his return to the rotation Saturday. The 36-year-old righty has accumulated a 4.80 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 84.1 innings this season, and he'll be tasked with keeping quiet a Cincinnati offense that's posted a .770 OPS since the beginning of the month. Jeff Criswell (shoulder) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.
July 16, 2026
Lined up to start Saturday
Sugano (back) is expected to rejoin the Rockies' rotation with a start Saturday against the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Sugano has missed the last two weeks of action with back spasms. He has not made any rehab starts, but the Rockies appear ready to re-insert the right-hander into their rotation this weekend. With a lack of rehab outings, Sugano's pitch count could be relatively limited Saturday versus Cincinnati.