The Washington Nationals have initiated the process of reshaping their roster by requesting unconditional release waivers for right-handed reliever Sauryn Lao. This move allows him to explore an opportunity with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). This decision comes after a challenging 2025 season for the Nationals, who finished with the worst earned run average (ERA) in Major League Baseball.
Lao’s journey to this point has included a mix of promise and setbacks. He began the 2025 season in the minor leagues with the Seattle Mariners, making his major league debut on April 22. In that game, Lao pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three batters. Despite this strong debut, he was returned to Triple-A without further appearances.
His next opportunity came in August, but it proved less fruitful. In that outing, he allowed three earned runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings, leading to his designation for assignment at the beginning of September. Just two days later, the Nationals claimed him off waivers, where he had a brief stint with their bullpen down the stretch. Over six appearances with Washington, Lao allowed three earned runs in 7 2/3 innings, showing flashes of his potential.
Despite his solid performance with the Nationals, the 26-year-old reliever likely sensed that consistent opportunities in Major League Baseball would be limited. His decision to pursue a career in Japan reflects a desire for more regular playing time and a chance to further develop his skills.
By requesting waivers for Lao, the Nationals now have an open spot on their 40-man roster. This flexibility enables them to add a new player through free agency or a waiver claim without needing to make an additional roster move. The team has yet to be very active in the open market this offseason, but they do have internal options that could fill this gap without the need for waivers.
As the Nationals prepare for the upcoming season, they face the pressing need to bolster their bullpen ahead of Opening Day. The management’s next steps will be closely watched as they aim to improve their pitching staff and overall performance in the 2026 season.
