DJ Herz Hits Another Setback

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
It's June 22nd. You're listening to Washington Nationals News Today. AI-powered coverage of your squad.
Yo, so we got some news on pitcher DJ Herz. He was on the man from a left UCL sprain, but it looks like he hit another roadblock. An MRI showed a flexor muscle strain, so they've had to shut him down from his rehab assignment. He was actually doing pretty well on the mound, throwing some good innings in his last outing. Nationals manager Blake Butera mentioned that Herz was feeling close to being back and his stuff looked sharp. So this setback was a bit of a surprise to everyone.
This is tough for DJ, especially after going through Tommy John surgery back in April of last year. He's only 25 and had a solid season in 2024, showing flashes of real talent. It's a frustrating situation for him, no doubt. Butera did say that this new issue isn't as serious as the original injury, which is some small comfort. They're going to focus on letting him rest, strengthen up, and recover. The manager emphasized that Herz is in good spirits despite the setback.
So, the plan is to just take it slow, let him heal up properly, and hopefully get him back on the field when he's fully ready. It's a process and sometimes you just got to roll with the punches.