Former Nationals $3.5 million starter returns to NPB in Japan
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The Washington Nationals lost pitching depth from their organization on Monday, granting the release of a left-hander.
That pitcher is Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Nationals before the 2025 season.
Now, Ogasawara has returned to Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, agreeing to a deal with the Yomiuri Giants. At the time of his release, the 28-year-old was pitching at Double-A Harrisburg.
"The signing didn’t work out. Ogasawara was unable to secure a spot at the back of Washington’s rotation out of camp," Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors wrote about Ogasawara's time with Washington.
"The Nats brought him up for his MLB debut in July and used him in mostly low-leverage relief," Franco added. "Ogasawara allowed nearly seven earned runs per nine across 38 2/3 innings and was outrighted off the 40-man roster at the end of the season."
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During his time in the Majors, Ogasawara allowed nine home runs and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 30:17, resulting in a 60 ERA+.
He spent the first nine seasons of his career in NPB with the Chunichi Dragons, earning an All-Star appearance in 2023.