The Nationals have requested release waivers on first baseman Mauro Gomez, the team announced. Gomez intends to play in Japan next season and he already has an agreement in place with the Hanshin Tigers.
Gomez, 29, hit .275/.324/.422 in 111 PA with the Red Sox in 2012, his only taste of Major League experience in a decade-long pro career that has been him play in four different organizations' farm systems. He has a career .278/.333/.488 slash line and 159 homers in 3842 minor league PA, including 29 homers and an .843 OPS posted last season with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate. Toronto designated Gomez for assignment in September and Washington claimed him two days later.
