The Washington Nationals are making some bold moves as they gear up for the 2026 season, and one recent decision has fans buzzing: the official release of hard-throwing righty, Sauryn Lao, to pursue an opportunity overseas. This move highlights the Nationals' ongoing efforts to reshape their roster and build a more competitive team, even if expectations for the upcoming season are tempered. But here's where it gets interesting... The Nationals are aiming for improvement, but their journey is fraught with challenges.
If you caught any of their games last season, you'd have noticed a team struggling with the basics. From shaky defense and questionable baserunning to a lack of plate discipline, the Nationals had plenty of areas to address. And this is the part most people miss: a historically bad bullpen, statistically one of the worst in Major League Baseball history, significantly contributed to their struggles.
With that in mind, the Nationals have been busy overhauling their bullpen since the season ended. They've already acquired players like Paxton Schultz, and there's a possibility of more signings to bolster their chances of holding onto leads.
The Nationals' bullpen has thinned out considerably. After losing All-Star Kyle Finnegan at the trade deadline and projected future closer Jose A. Ferrer in an offseason trade, the team's relief pitching depth is a major concern.
Sauryn Lao, a right-handed pitcher, was already known to be heading to Japan to rebuild his value. He's hoping to return to the States in a couple of years after gaining experience overseas. However, the Nationals took their time in officially releasing him or commenting on his situation.
With the arrival of righty Paxton Schultz, Lao was officially released to free up a spot on the 40-man roster, which Schultz would later fill. This move sends Lao to Japan and brings Schultz to Washington, D.C. from Canada. The Nationals are now a hub of international player movement.
What do you think about Sauryn Lao's prospects in Japan? Share your thoughts and opinions on X, @DCBerk.
