Mar 30, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (19) celebrate the final out of the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
TORONTO- What happened? Tomoyuki Sugano left the Orioles-Blue Jays game as he prepared to pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 35-year-old Japanese right-hander’s major league debut came to an abrupt end after his right hand was examined, and he left the mound.
Manager Brandon Hyde said that Sugano left the game with cramping in both hands but was feeling better and should be able to make his next start.
He allowed two runs on four hits in four innings, walking two and striking out one in the Orioles’ 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays before 21,069 at Rogers Centre on Sunday.
The Orioles (2-2) split the four-game series with the Blue Jays and play in their home opener against the Boston Red Sox on Monday at 2:35 p.m..
Leftfielder Colton Cowser also left the game after injuring his left thumb diving into first base in the seventh inning. Infielder Jordan Westburg, who hit three home runs in the Orioles’ first three games, was only available in an emergency, said Hyde, who wouldn’t specify why. Hyde expressed optimism that Westburg will play in Monday’s home opener.
Sugano gave up the two runs in the first inning. After a leadoff walk to Bo Bichette, Andres Giménez doubled with two outs. Bichette and Giménez scored on George Springer’s single.
Ryan O’Hearn, who singled with two outs in the first, scored on a wild pitch by Chris Bassitt.
The Orioles had runners on in each of the first six innings, left nine on base, and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Bassitt allowed one run on eight hits in six innings.
Matt Bowman, who was added to the roster before the game because Albert Suárez was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings in relief of Sugano.
Tyler Heineman homered against Cionel Pérez, the first he has allowed since May 31st, 2023, and Heineman’s first since his fourth major league game on September 26th, 2019.
Brendon Little retired the Orioles in order in the seventh, and Yariel Rodriguez pitched a scoreless eighth. Cedric Mullins singled with one out.
Bryan Baker recorded five outs, four on strikeouts, and allowed a double to Springer.
Jeff Hoffman, who reportedly was going to sign with the Orioles this offseason until a failed physical, retired the side in the ninth for his first save.
Game time for Monday’s home opener against the Boston Red Sox was moved up from 3:05 p.m. to 2:35 due to forecasted inclement weather. The change was made after the Orioles consulted with Major League Baseball.
The move to place Suárez on 15-day injured list, is retroactive to Saturday. The Orioles purchased Bowman’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk.
How much of a concern is Sugano’s injury? “Sugano had some cramping in both his hands,” Hyde said. “The pitching hand, obviously, was the concern. He feels much better now after getting some fluids and some food, so he should be on line to make his next start.”
Sugano, who acknowledged he was a little nervous to make his major league debut, said that he’s had cramps before when he pitched in Japan and that he wasn’t concerned.
“I was feeling good as the innings went so I wanted to throw more,” Sugano said through his translator.
Hyde was hoping he could continue.
“I thought Tomo threw the ball really well,” he said. “He just made a little bit of a mistake with Springer on a ball. He looked like he was a little nervous there in the first inning with a walk to Bichette but almost pitching out of it. Just a little too much of the plate with two strikes.”
Sugano’s catcher, Adley Rutschman, liked what he saw.
“I thought he was doing well, starting to settle in,” he said. “Splitter looked good, able to mix his pitches around, kind of move in and out with his fastball, and just really settle in. After the first inning, we kind of got rolling. Started getting early strikes on guys. I think he looked really good, and I’m excited for a lot more innings with him.”
Rutschman has no problem communicating with Sugano.
“As far as the meeting went before the game, I felt like it was pretty smooth,” he said. “It’s easy conversation. It’s good communication back and forth. That’s what I love about our staff, about him. We come together as a team to make a game plan.”
Hyde used his bullpen extensively in this series. In Friday’s game, starter Charlie Morton threw 3 1/3 innings after Zach Eflin threw six innings on Opening Day. He was hoping Sugano could go deeper.
“He was going to have at least the fifth,” Hyde said. “I was going to go as far as I could, just knowing that our bullpen, kind of keep guys as healthy as possible, save some guys if I can. We had to go to Bowman right away.”
Sugano said he became more comfortable as the game progressed.
“I was still throwing balls as opposed to strikes in the early counts but in the dugout I was talking to the pitching coach and the catcher to strategize how to pitch the next innings,” he said. “It got better as they went. Regardless of the outcome, overall there were a lot of learnings today. So if I can make adjustments for my next start that would be good.”
What happened to Cowser? Cowser broke his left hand in the Game 2 loss in the Wild Card Series to Kansas City when he was hit by a pitch that he swung at that was up and in. Now, the Orioles are concerned about his left thumb.
Cowser grounded to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who flipped to pitcher Brendon Little. Cowser made a head-first dive into first and was called out in a close play.
“Cowser, on the play at first base, his left thumb,” Hyde said. “It looks like it got bent back. He’s getting looked at right now. He stayed in there for defense, but he wasn’t able to hit there in the ninth inning.”
Hyde batted Gary Sánchez in the ninth, and he struck out to end the game.
If there’s something wrong with Cowser, the Orioles could recall outfielder Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk.
What was wrong with Westburg? Hyde didn’t specify, but after Heston Kjerstad pinch-hit for Jorge Mateo in the ninth, he would have needed him to play had the Orioles tied or gone ahead.
“Westburg was available in emergency only, so we get a tying run on base there, probably pop him in,” Hyde said. “We were staying away from him today. He should be OK tomorrow.”
What was wrong with the Orioles offense? The Orioles had nine hits, eight singles, and scored only in the first inning.
“We had traffic. The pitch count was getting up there early,” Hyde said. “We had runners on base. We didn’t get the big hit there. It was a well pitched game from both sides. And then Cionel makes a terrible pitch to Heineman, but we didn’t do a whole lot offensively. Really impressed with Bowman and Baker. You’ve got four games coming out of spring training. You’ve got four games in a row on turf, it’s not that easy. For Bowman and Baker to pick us up the way they did and throw the ball extremely well, that was huge.”
What does it mean? While there was concern about Sugano, the questions about Cowser’s availability and Suárez’s near future could be more concerning.
Suárez was going to be the team’s long man, and for the moment, Bowman will have to take his place.
What’s the word? “I’ve kind of said this a lot about him, but his ability to move the ball around, have a lot of different pitches, really allows us to do a lot of different things with any hitter, which I think is one of his strengths.”-Rutschman on Sugano.
What’s the stat of the day? 73. Sugano left the game after throwing 73 pitches, 45 strikes.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Designated hitter Gunnar Henderson hit a three-run home run to key a six-run eighth inning in Triple-A Norfolk’s 8-2 win over Durham.
Henderson, playing in his third rehab game because of a strained right intercostal muscle,, also singled in five at-bats. He’s hitting .333 (4-for-12).
Coby Mayo hit a two-run home run, and Brandon Young allowed two unearned runs in six innings.
What’s next? Left-hander Cade Povich will face Sean Newcomb when the Orioles play their home opener against the Boston Red Sox at 2:35 p.m on Monday.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com
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