The Seattle Mariners bullpen was one of the most volatile position groups on the team this past season.

Injuries to the starting rotation and early reliance on the relievers forced the Mariners to dip into their pitching depth in the minor leagues often.

Seattle's bullpen eventually got healthy enough, and growth from incumbent hurlers like right-handed pitcher Eduard Bazardo, allowed the Mariners to establish a hierarchy in the front and back end of their relief group en route to the playoffs.

A former Seattle pitcher that saw his first taste of major league action due to the team's chaotic shuffle will now continue his career overseas.

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According to a post on "X" from Gaijin Baseball (@GaijinBaseball), via a report from MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, right-handed pitcher Sauryn Lao has signed a deal with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Terms of the deal aren't official yet, per Gaijin Baseball's post, but the report is Lao signed a one-year deal with a club option for a second.

Lao began his professional career with the Los Angeles Dodgers when he signed a minor league deal as an international free agent on Oct. 2, 2015, out of the Dominican Republic.

Lao originally signed on as a shortstop before transitioning to a first baseman. He last played as a hitter in 2022 and transitioned to a pitcher in '23 with the Dodgers organization. The farthest he advanced in the minor leagues as a hitter was High-A ball.

As a pitcher, Lao quickly showed potential and advanced to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets in 2024 before electing free agency after that season.

The Mariners signed Lao to a minor league contract Dec. 7, 2024, which proceeded a transaction-filled tenure for the former infielder in the Pacific Northwest.

Lao's contract was selected by Seattle on April 20. He was optioned back down to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers three days later, designated for assignment April 30, sent outright to Tacoma on May 2, had his contract selected Aug. 19, optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 27 and DFA'd Sept. 1.

After Lao was DFA'd the second time, he was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals on Sept. 3 and optioned down to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings the same day. He was recalled from Triple-A on Sept. 17 and spent the final two weeks of the regular season in the major leagues.

Amidst the slew of transactions, Lao made two appearances for the Mariners. He posted an 8.10 ERA and struck out four batters in 3.1 innings pitched. He had six outings with the Nationals, had a 3.52 ERA and fanned five batters in 7.2 innings pitched.

Lao, just 26-years-old, is still just three seasons deep into being a full-time pitcher. There is potential there and maybe Lao could be the latest pitcher to parlay a solid overseas stint into a successful major league career.

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