DJ

Herz

Herz figures to get a long buildup after just throwing to live hitters for the first time in mid-May. Depending on how it goes, he could be a factor in the second half of the season. Herz, still just 25, had a 4.16 ERA in 88 2/3 innings pitched in 2024 while striking out 106.

Herz missed all of the 2025 season and is trying to find his way back to the mound late in the 2026 season after undergoing a traditional Tommy John surgery in April 2025. We’ll follow his rehab, but it would be surprising if he came into fantasy relevance in 2026.

Herz, who underwent the procedure last April, could be an option for the Nationals rotation come July. He showed some promise a rookie in 2024, posting a 4.16 ERA and a 106/36 K/BB in 88 2/3 innings. However, given that control is often the last thing to come back after Tommy John and Herz has long history of wildness, he probably won’t be a fantasy factor prior to 2027.

It seems like a virtual lock that Herz would wind up requiring elbow surgery after suffering a UCL sprain during spring training. Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters it was merely a traditional Tommy John surgery that didn’t require an additional internal brace procedure. The 24-year-old lefty will likely be sidelined until the second half of the 2026 campaign.

It’s merely a procedural move as Herz is facing an extended absence after being diagnosed earlier this week with a UCL sprain in his left elbow.

It certainly explains Herz’s diminished velocity throughout spring training. The -year-old southpaw was placed on the injured list earlier this week and is likely facing an extended absence. It’s unclear whether he’ll require surgery or will go the rest and rehabilitation route at this juncture. His absence is a definite hit to Washington’s starting pitching depth, but he was going to open the year back at Triple-A Rochester prior to the injury. He can be safely dropped in all re-draft fantasy formats.

There’s no official designation for the move, so we’re assuming that Herz suffered an injury prior to being optioned last week to Triple-A Rochester. There should be some clarity on his status at some point soon.

The Nationals aren’t waiting until the final days of spring training to make major decisions regarding their Opening Day roster, as sending out both Herz and Ogasawara likely means that Mitchell Parker will open the season as the fifth and final starter in the club’s rotation. Nuñez was always a long shot to head north in a reserve role, though he should get a chance with the Nats at some point during the regular season.

He lowered his spring ERA to 6.52. It might be a little too late for Herz to get back into position to win a rotation spot, but it’s still important that he remain next in line if anything opens up. That sixth position is probably between him and Shinnosuke Ogasawara.

Herz hasn’t performed well in any of his three spring starts to date, and his chances of winning a rotation spot have taken a big hit. He’s currently sporting an 8.10 ERA and a 3/7 K/BB in 6 2/3 innings. As things stand now, it figures to be Michael Soroka and Mitchell Parker joining MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin and Trevor Williams in the Nationals rotation.