Washington Nationals

Mitchell Parker

RP

Parker moved to the 60-day IL at the start of the month after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 UCL sprain, and the procedure will officially keep him out for the remainder of 2026 and most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign, as well.

Brad Lord

RP

Lord is nearly ready to face hitters after missing the past two-plus weeks with left side tightness. He could be ready for a rehab appearance after that. Lord is tracking toward a return in early August if all goes well.

PJ Poulin

RP

Poulin will receive his 11th opening assignment of the season and likely remain in the game for an inning or two before turning the game over to bulk reliever Miles Mikolas. Poulin has given up just two runs in 10.1 innings since coming up from the minors in mid-June and carries a 2.83 ERA through 35 frames on the year.

Richard Lovelady

RP

The Nationals haven't provided an update on Lovelady's status over the past week and a half, but assuming he hasn't suffered any setbacks since he began playing catch, he could be ready to get back on a mound following the All-Star break. Before being deactivated, Lovelady had been a key piece in the Washington bullpen, notching one wins, four saves and nine holds across his 22 relief appearances with the club.

Drew Millas

C

The 28-year-old remains firmly behind Keibert Ruiz on the catcher depth chart for the Nats, but Milias has been making a contribution of late while starting a couple times a week. Over his last five games dating back to June 16, the 28-year-old has gone 5-for-18 (.278) with a double, an RBI, three runs and a .381 OBP.

DJ Herz

SP

It's a significant setback for Herz, who has been working his way back from April 2025 Tommy John surgery. The left-hander posted a 1.17 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 7.2 innings covering his first three rehab starts, potentially setting him up for activation around the All-Star break. After suffering the flexor strain, however, Herz will be out indefinitely.

Ken Waldichuk

RP

Waldichuk posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 9.1 innings over his five relief appearances with Washington before landing on the injured list April 13 after suffering a left forearm injury. The southpaw received a couple of medical opinions in the week following the injury and ultimately decided to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in just under two years, after he previously had the procedure in May 2024. Waldichuk also underwent a flexor tendon repair as part of the operation.

Josiah Gray

SP

It's the first bit of throwing the right-hander has done since he was diagnosed with a right flexor strain in late March. He will be brought along slowly in his rehab before being evaluated for a potential return to the Nationals' rotation.