The average age of starting pitchers is 33.6 years old; former Yomiuri Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano joins the Rockies' opening day rotation.

Japanese right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, playing for the Colorado Rockies, has confirmed his inclusion in the team's opening day starting rotation.

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer today announced the five-man rotation for the start of the season, which includes the 36-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano. According to the Denver Post, Kyle Freeland will start the opening game, followed by Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Ryan Feltner.

The Rockies had a record of 43 wins and 119 losses last year, ranking last among all 30 teams in the league. The combined age of the five starting pitchers for the new season is 168 years, averaging 33.6 years old. Only 29-year-old Ryan Feltner is under 30, while Sugano (36), Freeland (32), Quintana (37), and Lorenzen (34) are all over 30.

After representing Japan in the quarterfinals, Tomoyuki Sugano returned to the spring training camp. In exhibition games, he pitched three innings, allowing four hits and one run. Sugano has postponed his retirement plan, and this year is likely to be his final season in the Major League.