Rockies Place Tomoyuki Sugano on Injured List, Recall Sean Sullivan, Add Jordan Romano

Tomoyuki Sugano signed with Colorado before the 2026 season after a decorated career with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants, where he earned multiple Central League MVP awards. In his first MLB year he has been a workhorse for the Rockies, posting an 8-4 record, a 4.80 ERA, 48 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP over 84.1 innings in 16 starts. The club sits near the bottom of the National League West, making rotation depth a priority. Sean Sullivan, a 2023 second-round pick who debuted on June 12, has split time between Triple-A Albuquerque and the big-league staff. Jordan Romano, a two-time All-Star closer with back-to-back 36-save seasons for Toronto (2022-23), signed a minor-league deal on May 6 after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Seth Halvorsen, a reliever who has shuttled between Colorado and Albuquerque, is also on the roster.

Rockies place Sugano, Halvorsen on IL; recall Sullivan and Romano

• June 26, 2026 – Sugano’s last start versus the Minnesota Twins; he suffers a fingernail injury and yields seven runs.

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• July 1, 2026 (retroactive) – Rockies place Sugano on the 15-day injured list (IL) for back spasms; Halvorsen is also placed on the 15-day IL for shoulder inflammation.

Rockies place Sugano, Halvorsen on IL; recall Sullivan and Romano

• July 4, 2026 (Saturday) – Sugano is scratched from his scheduled start against the San Francisco Giants; left-hander Sean Sullivan is recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to start.

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• May 6, 2026 – Colorado signs Jordan Romano to a minor-league contract; he later receives a 40-man roster spot.

ESPN

• Sugano: 8-4, 4.80 ERA, 48 K, 1.32 WHIP, 84.1 IP (16 starts).

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• Sullivan: 0-2, 8.64 ERA, 12 K, 16.2 IP (4 starts); fastball averages 87.9 mph.

Rockies place Sugano, Halvorsen on IL; recall Sullivan and Romano

• Romano (Triple-A): 4.15 ERA, 10 K, 0 BB in 9 appearances (?8 IP).

ESPN

• Halvorsen: 4.74 ERA, 17 K, 15 BB in 21 appearances (19 IP).

Rockies place Sugano, Halvorsen on IL; recall Sullivan and Romano

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said the back-spasm injury “should be very minimal” and “I don’t think it’s a big deal,” emphasizing that the team expects to manage the loss without major disruption. He also praised Romano’s acquisition, noting his “pedigree” and recent “velocity is up,” and expressed that the club is “super, super happy to have him” in the bullpen. The organization announced the IL moves, the recall of Sullivan, and Romano’s addition to the 40-man roster.

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Media coverage highlighted the Rockies’ lack of a clear timetable for Sugano’s return, labeling the day-to-day status as a source of uncertainty for rotation planning. Analysts noted that the absence of a definitive schedule could complicate the club’s strategy heading into the second half of the season.

Rockies Announce Reason for Tomoyuki Sugano’s Late Scratch

ESPN and PurpleRow report that Sugano was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 1, while Athlon Sports stated the Rockies did not place him on the IL, describing his status only as day-to-day. This discrepancy leaves the official roster designation ambiguous. Additionally, the exact length of Sugano’s expected absence remains unspecified.

ESPN

• “This should be very minimal,” — Warren Schaeffer, Rockies manager

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• “I don't think it's a big deal.” — Warren Schaeffer, Rockies manager

ESPN

• “There was a point there where he was the best big-league closer in the game,” — Warren Schaeffer, Rockies manager

ESPN

• “We're just super, super happy to have him, and what he brings to a bullpen.” — Warren Schaeffer, Rockies manager

ESPN

Sugano’s IL placement removes a primary starter during a crucial stretch before the All-Star break, increasing reliance on inexperienced arms like Sullivan. While Romano strengthens the bullpen, the moves also strain the 40-man roster, prompting additional IL designations and limiting flexibility for future transactions.

ESPN

Colorado will reassess Sugano’s back spasms after the Giants series and issue an update on his availability. Sullivan will start the next game, and the club may consider further bullpen adjustments depending on Romano’s performance and Halvorsen’s recovery.

ESPN