Nationals Release Cole Henry, Reinstate DJ Herz From IL

The Nationals announced Monday that they've requested unconditional release waivers on right-hander Cole Henry, freeing up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander DJ Herz. Herz has cleared his rehabilitation assignment and been officially reinstated from the 60-day injured list after recovering from UCL surgery performed last summer.

Henry's time in Washington. Henry was placed on the minor league injured list roughly four weeks ago, and the unconditional release waiver request signals that the organization has decided to move on from the right-hander rather than continue managing his recovery. This represents a significant decision point in his tenure with the club.

Herz's return matters. Herz's reinstatement is more significant for the Nationals' rotation depth. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last summer—a procedure that typically requires a full year of recovery and gradual return to competition. Successfully completing his rehab assignment suggests he's on track to contribute to the pitching staff down the stretch.

Timing and implications. The timing of Herz's return could provide a boost to a rotation that may need depth help. His availability will depend on how many innings he threw during his rehab stint and how the team plans to ramp him up in the major leagues. The specifics of his usage going forward remain unclear.

Betting angle. Herz's return might subtly improve team strikeout rates or bullpen efficiency if he takes on meaningful innings, but Henry's release was unlikely to move the needle significantly. Monitor Herz's actual usage in games to gauge whether this move materially improves the Nationals' pitching outlook for the remainder of the season.

Source: original report ↗