Jung Jong-chul finally secured a new contract after moving through three teams in three weeks, as the Washington Nationals officially announced adding him to their 40-man roster.

Following his designation for assignment by the New York Mets on January 22, Jung Jong-chul was picked up by the Washington Nationals today. As the new MLB season approaches in two months, teams have begun spring training, and Jung is anticipated to participate right away, striving to return to the major league roster.

At 24 years old, Jung Jong-chul made his MLB debut on April 10 last year, appearing in three games with seven at-bats but failing to record a hit, striking out three times. On December 20, the Pittsburgh Pirates designated him for assignment; on January 8, the Tampa Bay Rays signed him but placed him on waivers just five days later on the 13th; on January 17, the New York Mets, with a strong infield lineup, added him to their roster but designated him for assignment again on the 22nd.

On January 28, while training with the Chinese Taipei team for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Jung Jong-chul admitted that although his MLB destination was still uncertain, he had no plans to return to play in Taiwan, firmly believing in his ability to develop further in the major leagues. Today brought good news as the Nationals officially signed him, creating space on their 40-man roster by designating left-handed pitcher Konnor Pilkington for assignment. Jung will join the Nationals’ spring training and then rejoin the Chinese Taipei team next month to prepare for the Classic.