Report: Japanese P Sugano seeking MLB job in offseason

Tomoyuki Sugano, one of the most of the most heralded Japanese pitchers of his generation, is coming to MLB.

The soon-to-be 35-year-old will seek a big-league job as an international free agent upon the conclusion of the Nippon Professional Baseball season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Sugano is in the midst of a stellar campaign with the Yomiuri Giants, posting a 1.67 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 156 2/3 innings.

The two-time winner of the Sawamura Award - MLB's equivalent to the Cy Young - will make a second attempt at joining a major-league team after he was posted in 2020. He was unable to sign a contract before the posting deadline expired.

Sugano has won 136 games with a 2.43 ERA and 7.7 K/9 in 1,857 innings across 12 NPB seasons.