Nationals request release waivers on 1B/3B Mauro Gomez

The Washington Nationals today requested release waivers on third baseman Mauro Gomez, who plans to play the 2014 season in Japan. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Gomez, 29, briefly joined the Nationals organization, but never appeared in a game, after being claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays on September 5, 2013.

Last season, Gomez hit 29 home runs for Buffalo of the International League to match Nationals infielder Zach Walters (Syracuse) for the lead among all Triple-A players.