DJ Herz, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher and the Washington Nationals' No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, made his MLB debut against the New York Mets. Herz was called up to replace Trevor Williams, who was placed on the injured list due to a flexor strain. Herz, acquired in the 2023 Jaimer Candelario trade, has shown promise in the minors with a career 4.1 ERA and 455 strikeouts in 317 innings pitched. Herz's last start at Triple-A Rochester was his best of the season, with 5.1 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and 10 strikeouts. Despite a 19.0 BB% in Triple-A, Herz has been effective at limiting damage. In his debut, Herz started strong with a scoreless first inning, working around a leadoff double and retiring three straight batters. He continued with a clean second inning, retiring three batters in an 11-pitch frame. Herz faced his first real challenge in the third inning, stranding the bases loaded after giving up two hits and a walk but striking out J.D. Martinez. However, in the fourth inning, Herz struggled, issuing a leadoff walk, throwing two wild pitches, and giving up a two-run homer to Harrison Bader, putting the Nationals down 2-0.
DJ Herz finally succumbs in the 4th. Issues a leadoff walk, then a couple of very wild pitches, then gives up a 2-run homer to Harrison Bader. Nats down 2-0.
DJ Herz needed to throw 22 pitches in a labored 3rd inning. Stranded the bases loaded. Gave up two hits and walked a batter but got out of the jam with a punch out of JD Martinez. 3 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 Ks so far. https://t.co/pgqrrrNDfy
DJ Herz faces his first real jam of the night - bases loaded, two out in the third - and proceeds to strike out J.D. Martinez on three straight fastballs, the last of them at the knees. Impressive poise so far from the rookie.
DJ Herz threw a clean 2nd inning. Three-up, three-down, 11-pitch frame. Got pop flies from Marte and Vientos and a room service ground ball Bader. https://t.co/IzPKAekJhX
DJ Herz threw a clean 2nd inning. Three-up, three-down, 11-pitch frame. Got pop flies from Marte and Vientos and a room service ground all Bader. https://t.co/Krvh9DfXRf
DJ Herz starts his career with a scoreless inning. He worked around a leadoff double to retire three straight Mets. ⚾️ 18-pitch frame ⚾️ 13 FBs, 3 CTs, 2 CHs ⚾️ 5 called strikes, 1 whiff https://t.co/4mBZ3FqohQ
DJ Herz fell behind 3-0 to Francisco Lindor and wound up giving up a double to the Mets leadoff man. But he bounced right back, struck out Pete Alonso looking at a fastball and got a couple of grounders to escape the 1st inning unscathed.
DJ Herz's first major-league pitch is a 92-mph fastball to Francisco Lindor for ball one on an 81-degree Tuesday evening at Nationals Park.
Nationals lefty DJ Herz to make major league debut against Mets after Williams goes on IL https://t.co/Bz61e6tuzT
The news on Trevor Williams’ injury and DJ Herz’s upcoming MLB debut. Remarkably, he’ll be only the 10th starting pitcher used by the Nationals since the start of last season (tied with Toronto for fewest in the majors). https://t.co/kVRksoxY5r
DJ Herz gets the call! Herz is a soft tossing lefty who wields a 4-pitch mix and has been wild in AAA this season. Despite his below average grades and 19.0 BB%, Herz has been effective at limiting damage due to his ability to generate whiffs and induce weak contact Congrats! https://t.co/Du0Uzu3a8V
DJ Herz last started at Triple-A Rochester five days ago. He threw his best game of the season: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 Ks. Again, when he isn’t walking guys he is a terrific SP prospect. Tonight will be exciting. Low 90s FB Low 80s CH (best pitch) SL
Nationals Place Trevor Williams On Injured List, Recall DJ Herz For MLB Debut https://t.co/s8MUnvuyR8 https://t.co/BQXuzoigFH
Nats prospect DJ Herz will make his Nats debut tonight in place of Trevor Williams, per the team. ⚾️ 23-yr-old LHP ⚾️ Team’s No. 12 prospect via MLB Pipeline. ⚾️ Acquired in ‘23 Jaimer Candelario trade. ⚾️ Career .178 avg vs in minors ⚾️ 455 Ks in 317 IP as pro Issue has…
DJ Herz is making his MLB debut tonight with Trevor Williams going on the IL with a flexor strain.
DJ Herz was phenomenal today in AAA, recording 10 K in 5.1 IP Herz generated a bunch of whiffs today, leaning heavily on his fastball to miss bats. His changeup graded out well and he limited hard contact overall. https://t.co/nTLK5NHvQh