Nationals sign Japanese pitcher Ogasawara to 2-year deal

The Washington Nationals and Japanese left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara agreed to a two-year, $3.5-million contract, the club announced Friday.

Ogasawara will earn $1.5 million this season and $2 million in 2026, according to The Associated Press.

Though Ogasawara's role in Washington hasn't been fully determined, general manager Mike Rizzo said Saturday that he believes he "will be a starting pitcher for us," according to MASN's Mark Zuckerman.

The 27-year-old spent the past nine seasons pitching for the Chunichi Dragons in the NPB. He posted a 5-11 record with a 3.12 ERA and 82 strikeouts across 144 1/3 innings in 2024.

Ogasawara owns a career 3.62 ERA and has done a good job at limiting walks, issuing only 2.9 free passes per nine innings in 161 appearances.

He will give Nationals manager Dave Martinez another starting pitching option alongside Mackenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Mitchell Parker, Trevor Williams, Michael Soroka, and DJ Herz.