Nats sign Japanese lefty

The Nationals signed left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor-league contract today, marking the organization's first foray into Japan since ownership vowed to become players in the Far East.\ \ \ Maekawa, 29, was once considered among the top pitching prospects in Japan; he was the No. 1 draft pick of the Kinetsu Buffaloes in 1997. But he struggled in recent seasons, going 1-7 with a 5.26 ERA in 2006 for Orix, and did not pitch in 2007 after being involved in a hit-and-run accident that led to a series of legal problems.\ \ \ Maekawa, though, caught the Nationals' eye while pitching this winter in the Dominican Republic. In seven games with the Gigantes del Cibao, he went 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA, prompting Washington to offer him a nonguaranteed contract that includes a chance to compete for a job in major-league camp this spring.\ \ \ In other news, right-hander Enrique Gonzalez was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. Gonzalez, who was acquired by the Nationals from the Arizona Diamondbacks in September, had been designated for assignment last week to clear space on the 40-man roster for free agent catcher Johnny Estrada.