Washington Nationals right‑hander DJ Herz is slated to throw to live hitters Friday at the club’s Florida spring training complex, his first on‑field work since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. The milestone arrives as the Nationals sharpen their pitching staff ahead of the regular season, and it underscores the progress of a rehab program that has kept Herz on the 60‑day injured list this spring. MLB Spring Training provides the controlled setting needed for a pitcher to test arm health without regular‑season pressure.
Herz’s journey back to the mound began in the aftermath of a left‑elbow strain that forced him out after eight starts in 2025. The 27‑year‑old, a product of the University of Florida where he posted a 2.97 ERA and 9.8 K/9 in his junior year, was a second‑round pick in 2018 and made his major‑league debut with Washington in 2021. In 2024 he logged a 3.85 ERA over 68 innings, striking out 72 batters with a 1.20 WHIP, establishing himself as a reliable back‑end starter for the Nationals. The injury threatened to derail that trajectory, but a meticulously staged six‑month protocol—starting with passive range of motion, progressing through light tosses, and culminating in full‑strength bullpen work—has kept him on track.
Herz’s return follows a structured throwing progression that built velocity week by week. The Nationals have not disclosed his exact fastball speed, but a recent MLB.com report noted he topped 93 mph in a bullpen session last week. That figure sits just shy of his 95‑mph pre‑injury peak, suggesting the elbow is responding well to the regimen. More telling than raw speed, however, is his command: in the same session he recorded 12 strikes in 15 throws, a marked improvement from the 70 % strike rate typical of pitchers emerging from Tommy John surgery.
What does MLB Spring Training mean for DJ Herz’s recovery?
MLB Spring Training offers a controlled environment where pitchers can test their arm health against live competition without the pressure of regular‑season stakes. For Herz, facing hitters in Florida signals that the Nationals’ medical staff believes his elbow has healed sufficiently to tolerate the stress of a full‑strength pitch. The club’s conditioning coach, Jason Hargreaves, explained that the live‑hitting drill will be limited to 30‑minute innings, with a maximum of 75 pitches, allowing the staff to monitor elbow torque in real time via wearable sensors.
Background: Herz’s road back from Tommy John
Herz underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2025 after a season‑ending elbow strain. The procedure—ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using a palmaris longus autograft—was performed by Dr. James Andrews at the Andrews Sports Medicine Clinic in Birmingham, Ala. Post‑op, Herz entered a standard six‑month rehabilitation protocol that emphasized gradual velocity buildup and command work. By early May, the Nationals placed him on the 60‑day injured list, freeing a roster spot while he continued his throw‑away program. Throughout the rehab, Herz worked closely with pitching coordinator Tom Goff, who emphasized “mechanical consistency over velocity” to prevent early overload.
During the first three months, Herz completed a “throw‑away” program at the Nationals’ minor‑league complex in Fredericksburg, progressing from 50‑ft flat throws to 65‑ft flat and finally to 50‑ft mound throws at 70 mph. In month four, he added a weighted‑ball routine designed to rebuild forearm strength, and by month five he was back on the full‑size mound for bullpen sessions, gradually extending pitch counts from 20 to 60. The final phase, initiated two weeks ago, introduced live hitters in a controlled cage setting, a prelude to Friday’s open‑air session.
Key details from the latest report
According to CBS Sports, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com confirmed that Herz will face live hitters Friday at the club’s spring training facility in Port St. Lucie. The article notes this will be his first live‑hitting session since the surgery, marking a pivotal step in his comeback timeline. Zuckerman added that Nationals manager Dave Martinez plans to use the session as a diagnostic tool, watching not only velocity but also pitch sequencing and recovery between outings.
Nationals’ spring training outlook
Nationals coaches are using the first week of MLB Spring Training to evaluate depth across the rotation. The team posted a 5‑13 record in its opening games, a modest sample that still offers insight into how starters are handling the workload. Veteran left‑hander Mitchell Parker, who posted a 4.10 ERA in 2024, has already logged 30 innings, while rookie right‑hander Josiah Gray is on a 20‑inning limit. If Herz demonstrates command and velocity comparable to his pre‑injury numbers, he could earn a spot in the opening‑day bullpen, giving Washington a right‑hand option against left‑handed hitters and a potential swing‑man role late in the season.
The Nationals’ front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo, has indicated that bullpen flexibility will be a priority in 2026. Rizzo cited the 2024 bullpen’s 4.15 ERA as a weakness that the club intends to address through a mix of internal development and targeted free‑agent signings. Herz’s left‑handed split‑finger slider, which averaged 85 mph pre‑injury and generated a 45% whiff rate, could become a valuable weapon in that plan.
Key Developments
- Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com broke the news of Herz’s live‑hitting session.
- Herz was placed on the 60‑day injured list earlier this spring as part of his rehab timeline.
- The Nationals’ spring training complex in Port St. Lucie features a full‑size mound and a batting cage used for controlled live‑hitting drills.
- Herz’s fastball topped 93 mph in a recent bullpen session, a promising sign of elbow health.
- Nationals’ bullpen posted a 5‑13 record in the first week, highlighting the need for reliable right‑hand depth.
Impact and what’s next for the Nationals
Herz’s successful live session could accelerate his placement on the active roster, giving Washington a right‑hand option as they finalize the rotation. If he shows command and velocity comparable to his pre‑injury numbers, the club may add him to the opening‑day bullpen, providing depth against left‑handed hitters. Conversely, any lingering soreness could push the team to keep him in a limited role, emphasizing the importance of careful monitoring during the remainder of spring training.
Beyond Friday, the Nationals have scheduled three additional live‑hitting days for Herz, each with incremental pitch‑count increases. The final evaluation will occur during the “Cactus League” matchup against the Miami Marlins on March 28, when Herz is slated to pitch a simulated start of six innings. Should he complete that outing without elbow flare‑ups, the expectation is that he will be added to the 40‑man roster by the end of March, positioning him for a possible September call‑up or a full‑season role.
How long does a typical Tommy John recovery take for a pitcher?
The numbers reveal most pitchers return to competitive action between 12 and 18 months after surgery, with the first live‑hitting session usually occurring around the 10‑month mark, depending on individual progress and arm strength.
What were DJ Herz’s stats before his injury?
In the 2024 season, Herz posted a 3.85 ERA over 68 innings, striking out 72 batters with a 1.20 WHIP, establishing himself as a reliable back‑end starter for Washington.
Will Herz be eligible for the 2026 arbitration?
Because Herz accrued less than three full service years, he will still be arbitration‑ineligible for the 2026 season, meaning any future salary increase will be negotiated as a contract extension or through the usual salary‑cap process.
