SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tomoyuki Sugano wants another shot at Shohei Ohtani. The Rockies’ new right-hander should get his wish, now that he’s pitching in the National League West, where the Dodgers’ superstar resides. “I don’t have a set game plan going in to face Shohei Ohtani yet,” Sugan o said Monday through interpreter Yuto Sakarai after throwing his first live batting practice of spring training. “Last year, he hit two home runs off me, so as a Japanese player, I would like to attack him and try to be productive.” Sugano has faced Ohtani in only one game in the majors. Just two at-bats, in fact, as a starter for Baltimore last season. That was on Sept. 7 when Ohtani connected for his 47th and 48th home runs in his first two at-bats in the Dodgers’  5-2 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Ohtani and Sugano, shining stars in Japan, were both first-round selections in the 2012 Nippon Professional Baseball draft. Ohtani was selected by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Sugoan was drafted by the Yomiuri Giants. The pair faced each other only once in Japan, when Ohtani went 2 for 3 with a double on June 10, 2015. Last week, the Rockies, looking to add a veteran presence to their rotation, signed the 36-year-old Sugano to a one-year, $5.1 million contract. He is scheduled to depart camp on Tuesday to pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. It will be his second WBC, following his participation in the 2017 tournament. The Rockies signed Sugano because of his vast experience, believing he would have a positive impact on Colorado’s stable of young starters. “I expect the ultimate professional,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “I expect him to fill up the strike zone. I expect him to take the ball every fifth day, just like he has his entire career. “I expect him to provide ideas of leadership. I had dinner with him the other night, and he is just a fantastic human being. I’m so excited to have him around. But on the field, I look for consistency in the strike zone.” Lefty Kyle Freeland, entering his 10th season with the Rockies, welcomes Sugano’s presence. “I liked that he’s begun to pick my brain early, especially about pitching at Coors Field,” Freeland said. “We will get into some particulars later in camp, but we’ve already talked about fitness, staying hydrated, and the importance of getting enough sleep at altitude, in Colorado.” Related Articles Rockies’ 10 biggest spring training questions start with pitching Zac Veen’s sobriety leaves room for hope for Rockies career, healthier life | Renck File Rockies’ starting rotation competition bolstered by three veteran free agents Rockies’ Ryan Feltner goes ‘caveman’ as he returns from injury-marred 2025 season Renck: Kris Bryant looks done in Colorado. That is one of many good things happening for Rockies Sugano joined the Orioles a year ago after a 12-season career with Yomiuri,  during which he won three Central League MVP awards and two Sawamura Awards (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young). But he admittedly struggled with the Orioles in his first season in the majors. He was a workhorse, as he’s been throughout his career, leading Baltimore in starts (30) and innings pitched (157) while posting a 4.64 ERA. However, he also led the American League in homers allowed (33). One of the things the Rockies are stressing with all of their pitchers is getting ahead in counts, something the Rockies failed to do much of the time during their 119-loss 2025 season. Sugano should set an example. “I’m focused on attacking the zone as much as I can,” he said. That’s worked well for him throughout his career. Last season, he allowed just 2.1 walks per nine innings. However, the right-hander’s 15.1% strikeout rate was among the lowest in the majors. He’s not a flame-thrower — 92.7 mph average four-seamer, 92.9 mph average sinker — so he competes with guile and a versatile arsenal. Sugano said he understands that for all he accomplished in Japan, he still has a lot to prove in MLB — especially in Colorado. “All of the accolades I had in Japan, I left in Japan,” he said. “I only think about being successful over here.” For the record, Sugano’s possible first chance to face Ohtani again will be when the Dodgers come to Colorado for a four-game series, April 17-20. WBC roster The Rockies have 12 players scheduled to compete in the World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5. However, no Rockies are playing for Team USA. The Rockies scheduled to play in the WBC are: Right-handed pitchers Antonio Senzatela (Venezuela), Michael Lorenzen (Italy), Victor Vodnik (Mexico), Juan Mejia (Dominican Republic), and Sugano (Japan) Left-handed pitchers Jose Quintana (Colombia) and Brennan Bernardino (Mexico) Infielders Ezequiel Tovar (Venezuela) and Edouard Julien (Canada) Infielder/outfielders Willi Castro (Puerto Rico), Troy Johnston (Israel) and Cole Carrigg (Israel) Injury news The Rockies opened camp in relatively good shape. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman has been slowed by back soreness, but he is on the road back. He began running on Feb. 12 and started taking grounders on Feb. 13. Designated hitter Kris Bryant, diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disk disease last season, was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 10. He’ll miss all of spring training, and there is a chance he will never play baseball again. And right-hander Jeff Criswell, who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, remains on the 60-day IL. He began throwing off the mound last Thursday and the Rockies are looking toward mid-April for Crisell to begin pitching in games. Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis. ...read more read less