The Washington Nationals made a pair of pitching decisions this week, one demotion and one injury related
Tuesday marked the latest episode of the meltdown out of the Washington Nationals' bullpen after giving up eight runs in the ninth inning to fall in the second game in the series. It also marked a loss where the Nationals saw eight different pitchers take the mound including with just four lasting at least one inning, but one of those who failed to reach that mark was moved in a roster decision that was announced by the team after the loss.
Paxton Schultz has been optioned back down to Triple A Rochester once again.
Schultz was previously sent down to the minors back on April 19, while he was among the batch of relievers who struggled in Tuesday's loss. In just 21 pitches and 0.1 innings, Schultz allowed two earned runs and three hits while tossing both one walk and one strikeout. It marked his first outing since June 12 that Schultz allowed an earned run, but it's been a season of inconsistency for him after owning a 6.55 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in June.
In his first season with the organization, Schultz is also just 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 25 games as he's allowed five home runs and 38 hits to his 31 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched.
While Schultz is among the relievers who have struggled with Tuesday's outing just the latest in a string of inconsistencies, it was also a necessary move after manager Blake Butera had to turn to nearly his entire bullpen in hopes of closing out the game.
As of Wednesday morning, the Nationals have yet to announce a replacement for Schultz's spot in the rotation with the expectation they do so ahead of game three in the series.
Meanwhile, Butera said ahead of Tuesday's contest that left handed pitcher DJ Herz suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery he underwent last summer and was pulled from his rehab assignment scheduled for June 22 after suffering a flexor muscle strain. While Herz has remained on the 60 day injured list since Feb. 11, it marks a long-term blow with the latest setback pushing his expected later during the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Washington is set for another 6:45 PM ET opening pitch on Wednesday with Miles Mikolas looking to build on some late momentum with a chance to re-take the series lead against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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