DJ Herz Back on the Mound

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It's June 17th. Welcome in. This is Washington Nationals News Today, where team coverage meets AI.
DJ Herz, a pitcher for the Nationals, is making his way back after Tommy John surgery. He spent 17 months recovering, which he described as a grind, but necessary for improvement. He finally got back on the mound for a rehab start with a single-A FredNats earlier this week, throwing two and two-thirds innings and allowing just one run.
This start in Fredericksburg, Virginia is a significant step up from his previous rehab outings in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He's been building up his arm strength and innings since his first time throwing off the mound in mid-March. His progress has been steady with each milestone feeling like a fresh start. Herz underwent the surgery back in April of 2025
Before that, he made his major league debut in June of 2024, showing promise with a four-win season and a solid strikeout rate. He was even competing for a rotation spot and spring training before the injury. The team isn't rushing his return to the big leagues, and he's expected to make a few more starts at the single A level before potentially moving up. To double A Harrisburg, manager Blake Butera noted that the feedback on Herz's recovery has been overwhelmingly positive, and everyone is eager to see him back in action. It's a long road back from this kind of surgery, but DJ Herz is clearly on the right track. He's been putting in the work, and this rehab assignment is a testament to his dedication and the positive outlook for his future on the mound.