The Washington Nationals have requested unconditional release waivers for right-handed reliever Sauryn Lao, allowing him to pursue an opportunity with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. This decision follows a challenging offseason for the Nationals, who are looking to strengthen a bullpen that finished the 2025 regular season with the worst earned run average (ERA) in Major League Baseball.
Lao began his career with the Seattle Mariners, making his major league debut on April 22, 2025. In that game, he pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out three batters while allowing three hits and one inherited run. Despite this promising start, he was returned to Triple-A without further appearances. In August, Lao received another chance, but his performance faltered, resulting in three earned runs over 1 2/3 innings, leading to his designation for assignment at the beginning of September.
The Nationals claimed Lao off waivers shortly after, and he subsequently joined their bullpen. Over six outings with Washington, Lao allowed three earned runs in 7 2/3 innings, showcasing his potential. Nevertheless, at just 26 years old, Lao sought more consistent playing time, leading him to consider opportunities abroad.
By requesting waivers for Lao, the Nationals open a spot on their 40-man roster. This move allows the team to sign a player through free agency or make a waiver claim without needing to make further adjustments to their roster.
Despite the recent roster change, the Nationals have not been particularly active in the free-agent market. However, the team has options within their organization that they can now promote to the 40-man roster without the risk of passing players through waivers.
As the countdown to Opening Day continues, it remains to be seen how the Nationals will address their bullpen’s shortcomings. With the departure of Lao, the organization faces pressure to acquire more pitching depth, which could be crucial for their performance in the upcoming season.
