The Washington Nationals have made headlines by officially releasing a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher in order to pursue opportunities abroad. This move comes amidst a significant effort by the team to revamp their roster as they prepare for the 2026 season. Although expectations are not high for the Nationals to compete this year, fans can reasonably hope for improved performance compared to the previous seasons.
If you caught any games last season, it was clear that the Nationals struggled with fundamental aspects of baseball, including defense, baserunning, and plate discipline. However, one of the most critical factors contributing to the team's poor performance was their bullpen, which statistically ranked as one of the worst in Major League Baseball history (https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/team_compare.cgi).
Recognizing these issues, the Nationals have been actively restructuring their bullpen since the end of last season. They have brought in new talent, such as Paxton Schultz, and are expected to make further acquisitions that could potentially enhance their ability to maintain leads during games.
Following the departure of All-Star Kyle Finnegan at last year's trade deadline, along with projected future closer Jose A. Ferrer being traded this offseason, the Nationals now find themselves with a dangerously thin bullpen. This situation is particularly alarming for a team eager to improve upon its dismal results from recent years.
Among the pitchers from last year's roster, Sauryn Lao had already been reported to be heading to Japan (https://districtondeck.com/previous-nationals-waiver-claim-signs-2-year-deal-with-overseas-club-01kcvgd7xmkd) with hopes of rebuilding his value in the sport, aiming for a return to the major leagues after gaining experience overseas. However, what raised eyebrows was the Nationals' delay in officially releasing him or commenting on his situation.
Now, with the addition of Paxton Schultz (https://districtondeck.com/nationals-claim-versatile-pitcher-off-waivers-from-blue-jays-01ken2cj8k9n), the team has made the decision to officially release Lao (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/nationals-release-sauryn-lao-to-pursue-opportunity-in-japan.html) to free up a spot on their 40-man roster, which Schultz will fill shortly. With this development, Lao is set to depart for Japan, while Schultz transitions from Canada to the Nation's Capital. It appears the Nationals are becoming a hub for international moves.
What do you think about Sauryn Lao's chances in Japan? Will he thrive and return stronger, or will the transition be challenging? I would love to hear your thoughts on this—feel free to share your opinions with me on X, @DCBerk (https://x.com/dcberk).
