Don’t Forget About DJ Herz

Washington Nationals' right-hander DJ Herz, who last pitched in the majors in 2024, is making a promising comeback from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old has steadily progressed through minor league rehabilitation assignments, from Single-A to Triple-A, posting a 3.71 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 17 innings across his first eight appearances this season. If Herz continues to perform well physically, the Nationals may consider giving him a shot in the majors before the season ends.

Herz's impressive minor league performance is a reminder of the talent that was evident in his 2024 major league debut. That year, the rookie made 19 starts for the Nats, posting a 4.16 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 88 ⅔ innings. His ability to strike batters out, averaging nearly 11 strikeouts per nine innings, demonstrated the kind of swing-and-miss pitching ability that is hard to come by.

His most dominant performance came against the Miami Marlins, where he struck out 13 batters, walked none, and allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings.

While Herz's return from Tommy John surgery is not a guaranteed smooth process, the Nationals should prioritize his long-term health over trying to get him to pitch too much this season. He may initially work in a limited role, rather than immediately joining the rotation. However, Herz's potential should not be overlooked. If he returns to his best form, he has the stuff to become a valuable major league contributor, either as a rotation starter or a multi-inning reliever.