Sugano throws 1st bullpen session for Orioles; Laureano in outfield mix

SARASOTA—Tomoyuki Sugano threw 35 pitches on Tuesday in his first Orioles’ bullpen session, using five of his six pitches: four-seam fastball, sinker, cut fastball, split-finger fastball and curveball.

“I was able to have good command in today’s session,” Sugano said through a translator.

The 35-year-old Sugano was caught by Gary Sánchez, who caught Masahiro Tanaka when both were with the New York Yankees.

“I think he understands how to catch Japanese pitchers, and it was very easy to pitch to him,” Sugano said. “That’s the good part about guys like Gary who has caught Japanese pitchers before. They understand what Japanese pitchers are like and what they throw.”

Manager Brandon Hyde, pitching coach Drew French and guest instructors Zack Britton, Ben McDonald and Scott McGregor watched intently.

“It’s gone extremely well,” Hyde said. “Getting to know him and his team, they’re fantastic guys … He came off a long flight. I just want him to get comfortable. He’s just kind of getting acclimated right now.”

Hyde said Sugano is “a guy who’s accomplished great things in Japan, an unbelievable track record with a ton of experience, but this is his first time being over here. I know he’s really excited to get going.

“We’re going to treat him as a guy that’s pitched a lot of innings in high-level baseball for a long time and been really, really good at it. We’re treating him like a veteran. We’re there for him, whatever he needs.”

Sugano won’t be starting the first Grapefruit League game on Saturday. He’s five days behind some pitchers who threw their first bullpen sessions last Thursday when official workouts began. He hasn’t thrown a live batting practice.

Hyde has experience with Japanese players with the Chicago Cubs, and the Orioles had Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami late in the 2023 season.

“I understand more media and everything that comes with it. We’re really excited to have him here,” he said. “Not to rush to judgment early. Spring training is spring training for a reason, and for him to get comfortable over here, to know our routine, to know our catchers.

“We had a Zoom call with our pitching coaches with Gary and Adley [Rutschman] and Tomo. That was just a get to know period. Now, we’re live and on the field, and that relationship is just starting and will continue to grow.”

Laureano in outfield mix

Just before spring training, the Orioles signed outfielder Ramón Laureano. The 30-year-old agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with a $6.5 million option for 2026.

Laureano was the third outfielder signed in the offseason. Like Tyler O’Neill, Laureano bats right-handed. Dylan Carlson is a switch-hitter.

Last season, after Laureano hit .143 in 33 games for Cleveland and was released, he rebounded to hit .296 with an .832 OPS with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 67 games for Atlanta.

He wasn’t surprised he signed not long before spring training.

“Not when you understand what’s going on in free agency, not really,” said Laureano, who said the Orioles were one of the first teams to contact him.

“They’re a winning team. That’s very attractive to me,” he said.

Laureano can play all three outfield positions.

“He’s going to play all three in spring,” Hyde said. “You never know what’s going to happen, so you need guys to be versatile and not surprise guys during the season.”

Laureano enjoys playing center, and could play against left-handers when the Orioles sit left-hand hitting Cedric Mullins.

“I’ll play anywhere, so whatever the team needs, whatever lineup they put out there,” Laureano said. “However they need me, I’ll be there, really. I’m a big fan of Cedric’s. He’s a tremendous centerfielder for sure.”

Laureano has an interesting background. At age 15, he was offered a scholarship to a school on Long Island and moved on his own from the Dominican Republic.

“I couldn’t refuse to do that. It was a decision with my parents. It paid off. I’m very glad it happened,” he said. “I didn’t think too much about it, but my parents did. Only child. I think for them it was pretty difficult. I wanted to [chase] my dream. For them, we look back and we’re like, ‘it was crazy. God only knows why.’ For me, I’m very happy it happened.”

After Long Island, Laureano played for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Oklahoma, moving from New York, where there many Dominicans, to Oklahoma, where there were none.

“It’s crazy. I understand the culture, East Coast, Midwest, West Coast,” he said. “I loved it. I loved my teammates. I loved having bonfires outside, drinking Natty Lights. I just really had fun with all that stuff. But then you look back and learn more cultures and more states and more behaviors. You understand that Oklahoma is Oklahoma, in a good way.”

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