Washington Nationals

DJ Herz

SP

Just over 15 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Herz had shown well over his first three rehab starts between Fredericksburg and the rookie-level Florida Complex League, turning in a 1.17 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 7.2 innings. The southpaw's strong start to his rehab assignment appeared to put him in consideration for a spot in the big-league rotation upon his return from the 60-day injured list, but the setback with his surgically repaired elbow will muddle his outlook. In all likelihood, Herz will be shut down at least a couple of weeks to recover from the forearm injury before resuming his rehab assignment.

Jacob Young

CF

The 26-year-old is still banged up after colliding with the outfield wall while pursuing a fly ball in Saturday's 4-3 win and will be given at least one day off to recover. Dylan Crews will slide over from his usual spot in right field to cover center in Young's absence.

Jarlin Susana

RP

The Nationals' pitching prospect still has a long way to go in his recovery, however. Susana will continuing his throwing progression at the team's spring training complex in Florida, and as yet there's no target date for him to return to game action.

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.

Trevor Williams

SP

The veteran right-hander still lacks a concrete timeline for his return from last July's internal brace procedure on his elbow, but Williams is making progress in his recovery. He'll need a lengthy rehab assignment, but he could be a month or so away from providing the Nationals' beleaguered staff with an additional rotation option.

Jake Irvin

SP

Irvin has made some progress since he went down with a right shoulder strain a little over a week ago, but it hasn't come as quickly as anticipated. He will remain limited to strengthening exercises for the time being.

Max Kranick

RP

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Carson Palmquist, whom the Nationals optioned to Triple-A after acquiring him from the Rockies on Monday. Kranick signed a one-year deal with the Nationals in early May and continues to recover from flexor tendon surgery that he underwent in July of 2025. His move means the earliest he can be activated off the IL is early July, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready for big-league action at that time.

Tyler Stuart

SP

no

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.

Tyler Baum

DH

A second-round pick in 2019, Baum logged a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 30.2 innings after getting drafted, but it appears he may go two full seasons without getting into official games.

Travis Sykora

SP

Sykora landed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Harrisburg earlier this month with what had been referred to as triceps soreness, but subsequent testing revealed the need for a UCL repair. It's a huge blow to the Nationals and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, as Sykora could be sidelined until 2027. The 21-year-old holds a 1.91 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB through 42.1 innings in the minors this season.