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DJ Herz
Last 15
Batting / Throwing
Injury Status
Est. Return 02/06/2025 (Elbow)
Performance
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Last 20 sales
Games
Games
24 Mar
MLB
27 Mar (GW 1)
MLB
29 Mar (GW 1)
MLB
30 Mar (GW 1)
MLB
31 Mar
MLB
Info
Jersey Number
#77Age
24Birthplace
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25 March 2025
Diagnosed with elbow UCL sprain
Herz has been diagnosed with a left elbow UCL sprain, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis
Herz's velocity was down this spring, which originally attributed to a "dead arm" phase. However, as it turns out, he's dealing with an injury that often requires season-ending UCL surgery, although it's not yet clear whether Herz might try the rest-and-rehab route first. At minimum, the lefty is likely to be out a few months, and in all likelihood, much longer.
25 March 2025
Shifted to IL
The Nationals placed Herz on the 15-day injured list Monday due to an undisclosed injury.
Analysis
Washington previously optioned Herz to Triple-A Rochester on Friday after he fell short in his bid for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but as a result of his move to the IL, he won't immediately report to the minors. Though the nature of Herz's IL placement isn't known, the lefty dealt with dead arm in spring training, so he could just need more time to build up. Washington will presumably have more details on the nature of the 24-year-old's injury as well as a potential timeline for him to return from the IL in the coming days.
21 March 2025
Might begin season in minors
Herz appears to be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day rotation, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
Analysis
Mitchell Parker seems on track to claim the fifth starter role behind MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Trevor Williams and Michael Soroka. Herz tinkered with his mechanics this offseason, and the results this spring haven't been pretty, as he's walked nine batters in 9.2 Grapefruit League innings while recording only four strikeouts. The 24-year-old lefty may need some time at Triple-A to regain the form that saw him rack up a 27.7 percent strikeout rate against a 9.4 percent walk rate over his first 88.2 big-league innings in 2024.