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This after he pitched five scoreless frames his first time out. Lao, 27, requested his release from the Nationals to pitch in Japan last season, but he wound up missing much of the year and throwing just 20 2/3 innings between the majors and minors. He’s a free agent now and could aim for a return to the U.S. He might land a major league deal if he keeps pitching like this.

The 26-year-old hurler found an opportunity to play overseas, so the Nationals granted him release. Lao will ink a one-year pact with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Proessional Baseball.

Lao will have a chance to make his first appearance with Washington after being claimed off waivers from the Mariners at the start of September. The 26-year-old will be auditioning for a potential role in the Nationals’ bullpen in 2026.