Lao signed as an infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 2,2015,at the age of 16.[1] He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers,and hit .201 in 50 games. Returning to the DSL Dodgers in 2017,Lao slashed .303/.373/.412 with two home runs,36 RBI,and 19 stolen bases.[2]
Lao helped the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers win a league championship in 2018,with a two-RBI triple in the final game of the championship series;in 40 regular season appearances,he batted .262/.359/.476 with four home runs,22 RBI,and four stolen bases.[3] He played in 61 games for the rookie-level Ogden Raptors in 2019,slashing .271/.362/.480 with nine home runs,45 RBI,and six stolen bases. Lao did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Lao returned to action in 2021 with the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes,hitting .244/.330/.419 with career-highs in home runs (11) and RBI (46),as well as five stolen bases.[5] During the 2022 season,Lao converted into a pitcher;in his final season as a position player,he batted .179/.276/.254 with one home run and four RBI in 20 games for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Dodgers and High-A Great Lakes Loons.[6]
Lao made his first appearance on the mound in 2023,splitting the year between the Rancho Cucamonga,Great Lakes,and the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. In 34 appearances for the three affiliates,he posted a cumulative 4-0 record and 3.79 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 57 innings of work.[7] He reached Triple-A in 2024,logging a 3.74 ERA with 54 strikeouts and two saves in 20 relief appearances split between the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club and Tulsa.[2] Lao elected free agency following the season on November 4,2024.[8]
Seattle Mariners
On December 14,2024,Lao signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[9] He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[10] On April 20,Lao was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[11] He made his MLB debut on April 22,striking out 3 and allowing an unearned run in 1+2⁄3 innings against the Boston Red Sox.[12] Lao was designated for assignment by the Mariners on April 30.[13] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on May 2.[14] On August 19, the Mariners added Lao back to their active roster.[15] He pitched once, allowing three runs, including a home run to Kyle Schwarber, against the Philadelphia Phillies in another 1+2⁄3-inning outing on August 20.[16][12] The Mariners designated Lao for assignment on September 1.[17]
Washington Nationals
On September 3, 2025, Lao was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.[18] He pitched in five games for the Nationals, allowing three runs, including a home run to Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves, in 6+2⁄3 innings. Lao earned his first MLB win on September 20, pitching a scoreless 10th inning in an 11-inning win over the New York Mets.[19] He ended his first MLB season with a 4.91 ERA, nine strikeouts, and two walks in 11 innings.[12][20][21] Lao spent much of the season in Triple-A, with a combined 2–4 record, 3.25 ERA, and 75 strikeouts in 74+2⁄3 innings for Tacoma and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.[2]
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