Shinnosuke Ogasawara: Everything you need to know

The Nationals reassigned Ogasawara to minor-league camp Wednesday. Ogasawara will earn $2 million in 2026 after signing a two-year deal with the Nationals in January 2025, but the left-hander no longer possesses a spot on the 40-man roster after Washington outrighted him earlier in the offseason. After coming over from Japan last winter, Ogasawara posted a 6.98 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB over 38.2 innings across 23 appearances (two starts) with Washington.

Ogasawara cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester. Ogasawara struggled during his first season in the States, posting a 6.98 ERA and 1.55 WHIP alongside a 30:17 K:BB through 38.2 innings. He'll now lose his place on the 40-man roster heading into the offseason, though he may have a chance to reclaim his spot with a strong showing in spring training.

The Nationals recalled Ogasawara from Triple-A Rochester on Friday. The left-hander will bolster Washington's pitching staff in the wake of the trade deadline. The Nationals haven't announced their updated rotation plans, but Ogasawara is likely to be in the mix to take the starting spot of Michael Soroka, who was dealt to the Cubs, though he'll first be available out of the bullpen since Washington won't need a fifth starter for a bit, per Andrew Golden of The Washington Post.