The Washington Nationals announced this morning that left-hander DJ Herz will start the season on the injured list with a left elbow injury. The 24-year-old, who was optioned to Triple-A last Friday, is heading to the 15-day major league injured list after spraining his left UCL in big league camp. Washington has not shared a return timeline or treatment plan, but depending on the severity, it could require season-ending Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure.
The Nationals have placed left-handed pitcher DJ Herz on the 15-day Major League Injured List with a left elbow UCL sprain.
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) March 25, 2025
Acquired in the trade sending Jeimer Candelario to Chicago, DJ Herz made his MLB debut with the Nationals last June. He was the first pitcher since Stephen Strasburg with 13 strikeouts and no walks in one his first three games. In 19 starts during his rookie campaign, Herz tossed 88 ⅔ innings with a 4.16 ERA and 106 strikeouts. The second-year southpaw opened camp as the favorite for Washington’s fifth starter role before experiencing dead arm and decreased velocity.
UCL Sprain Lands Nationals Starter DJ Herz on the Injured List
Herz, who walked 19% of batters in Triple-A last year, radically improved his command in the majors, cutting his walk rate down to 9.4%. His strong season between Triple-A Rochester and Washington made him a popular breakout pick heading into Spring Training. But he looked less than impressive in his four spring outings, which before the dead arm, signaled something was amiss. Over 9 ⅔ total innings, Herz allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, walking nine while striking out four. For a pitcher who struck batters out at a 27.7% clip and held them to a .224 average, it was surprising how hittable he was. His diminished velocity, however, has been the most concerning.
Herz averaged 93.5 mph on his fastball last season but topped out at 91 mph in Grapefruit League play. His struggles led Washington to assign him to Triple-A to open the season, giving Mitchell Parker the fifth starter role. Earlier this month, Herz insisted that there was no injury concern saying, “Spring Training wear and tear kind of hits me a little harder.” But the “dead arm” feeling in his elbow was concerning enough to warrant additional tests and an injured list stint.
The severity of the injury, which by definition, indicates a stretching or tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament, is unclear. Herz could opt to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and try the rest and rehab route first, but UCL injuries often require season-ending Tommy John surgery. At minimum, Herz is likely to be out a few months, and in all likelihood, much longer.
Main Photo Credits: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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