DJ Herz is back on the mound for the Washington Nationals, but the bigger roster move Monday was the one that sent Cole Henry out the door.
Herz, a left-hander returning from Tommy John surgery, is set to make his first big league appearance since 2024. His comeback matters for a Nationals club that is no longer in the playoff picture but is using the rest of the season to sort through what it has before this winter. If Herz shows well, he could have a place in Washington’s plans in 2027 and beyond.
The more unexpected news came with his activation: the Nationals requested unconditional release waivers on right-hander Cole Henry.
Henry arrived in 2025 viewed as a key part of the bullpen mix after being taken in the second round in 2020. He had just posted a 4.27 ERA over 57 appearances in 2025, with 52 strikeouts and 32 walks in 52 2/3 innings, and was expected to be a meaningful piece in relief.
For a stretch, he looked like he might live up to that billing. Washington used him in high-leverage spots, but things unraveled in mid-April when the club placed him on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain.
He returned May 29 after a rehab assignment, then was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after three appearances. His final major league outing for Washington came July 6, when he allowed four earned runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings and was sent back to the minors, where he later landed on the injured list.
Injuries have shadowed Henry throughout his career. He was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and had surgery in 2022 to address it, which stalled a career that had him ranked No. 3 in the Nationals’ pipeline that same season. At the time, he looked like a potential impact arm for the organization.
That never fully came together, and even with Washington’s bullpen in need of a reset, the new regime - one that did not draft Henry - decided the cleanest path forward was to move on.
Henry is still worth watching. If he finds a new home and settles into more consistent form, the Nationals could end up looking back at this decision with some regret.
In Other News...
Eli Willits Is Forcing A Bigger Nationals Timeline Conversation
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His production was paired with elite work on the bases and a defensive profile that stood out even in the minor leagues, which is why Washington had him front and center in its end-of-season awards announcements. The Nationals also recognized Seaver King, Miguel Sime Jr., Andrew Pinckney and Maxwell Romero Jr., but Willits is the name that seems to be forcing the broader timeline conversation inside the organization. [Read more 🡒]
Nationals Finally Get A Crucial Look At DJ Herz Again
The Nationals are finally getting another look at DJ Herz, and it comes at a useful time as they open their series against the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The left-hander is set to take the ball in his first MLB appearance in a long stretch, giving Washington a fresh chance to see where he stands after the layoff and how he might fit into the clubs plans beyond this season.
Herzs return matters because the Nationals still need clarity on young arms they can count on going forward, and a start against a playoff-caliber opponent should offer a meaningful test. Even with the organization eager for answers, this outing is less about celebration than evaluation, with the team watching closely to see whether Herz can settle back into big league life and strengthen his case for a larger role down the road. [Read more 🡒]
James Wood Just Put His Nationals Future Back In Focus
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Wood tried to move the conversation forward after the game, making clear he wants his future tied to Washington for a long time. That is the kind of sentiment every rebuilding team wants to hear, but turning it into a long-term extension is never simple, and Woods representation by Scott Boras only adds another layer to an already delicate negotiation. For the Nationals, the talent is obvious. The question is whether the timing and the business side can ever line up. [Read more 🡒]