Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.
Here are your Washington Nationals Morning headlines, news, analysis, and more for Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
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📅 NEXT AT BAT
Today: vs. Royals, 1:05 PM ET — Can Zach Littell secure the sweep for the Nationals?
Thursday: No Game
Friday: vs. Rays, 7:10 PM ET- How will Cavalli start of the series for the Nats?
UPDATE ON DJ HERZ
Photo from DJ Herz Instagram
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Yesterday, DJ Herz was sent from the FCL Nationals to the Fredericksburg Nationals, bringing him one step closer to his MLB return. Herz looked promising in his time with the Nationals during the 2024 season, but has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since April 2025.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Time with the Nats: During the 2024 season, Herz threw 106 strikeouts, posted a 4.16 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP over 88.2 innings. Herz has posted multiple impressive numbers, including a 13-strikeout game and going hitless through five innings.
FCL: In his two starts in the FCL, Herz has eight strikeouts, zero walks, and zero hits through his five perfect innings.
Recovery timeline: Herz had Tommy John surgery on April 16, 2025, and has been on the 60-day IL since February 11, 2026.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
As cited by Sports Illustrated writer Brad Wakai, “Nusbaum reported Herz will be bumped up to Single-A Fredericksburg for his next outing, which is scheduled to take place on June 16. And if everything does well in that outing, then he should continue to move up the pipeline until the Nationals are ready to activate him off the injured list.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think Herz will make his MLB return this year? Will he be able to maintain the same level of productivity in Fredericksburg?
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NATS CLINCH THE SERIES WIN
Curtis Mead saves the day for the Nats, hitting a three-run home run in the seventh to give the Nats the lead.
Final Score: Nationals 6, Royals 4
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Location: Nationals Park
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
Nasim Nunez and Curtis Mead led the offense in the Nats' 6-4 win over the Royals to clinch their fourth straight series win. Foster Griffin started for the Nats, pitching six innings, throwing six strikeouts, and only giving up one run.
📊 THE BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Paxton Schultz ([1–2], 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
Losing Pitcher: Daniel Lynch IV ([2–1], 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)
Key Hitters:
Curtis Mead: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Drew Millas: 2-for-4, R
Nasim Nunez: 2-for-2, 2 3B,2BB,
Team RISP: 2-for-9
Errors: Nats 1, Royals 0
Attendance: 25,053
🎙️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
After being asked what it means to be the first player in franchise history with two triples and two walks in the same game, Nasim Nunez said: “thats pretty cool; it's even better that we got the win.”
📅 NEXT AT BAT
Next Game: vs. Royals, June 17, 1:05, Nats Park
Probables: Nats — Zach Littell, Royals — Luinder Avila
Key Storyline: Can the Nats sweep the Royals and get their fifth straight win?
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Who was tonight’s MVP?
✅ Mead
✅ Nunez
✅ The Bullpen
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theFUTURE
⚾ DUGOUT DISPATCH
The Nationals' minor league affiliates have continued to play well and show a ton of promise, especially the Rochester Red Wings. The Red Wings are arguably the best team in Triple-A and have the best record in the International League East.
📊 THE BOX SCORE:
Prospects: The Red Wings have a ton of talent, with multiple prospects and MLB-experienced guys who could be called up soon. Harry Ford, Seaver King, and Luis Perales are all top 10 prospects for the Nationals, and among the guys with experience, Brady House, Cole Henry, and Joey Wiemer have helped lead the Redwings to success.
Winning: The Red Wings are 8-4 in June with a 42-26 Record, which at the moment is the second best record in Triple-A.
Post-Season Hopes: In Triple-A, the season is divided into two halves, and the team that finishes in first place at the end of the first half automatically qualifies for the postseason. Rochester is one of three teams still competing for that first-place spot.
🗣️ LOCKER ROOM LORE
The director of communication for the Red Wings, Morrie Silver, wrote, “While Rochester hosts Toledo (Detroit) for six games at ESL Ballpark, Memphis and Nashville will spend the entire week playing each other (in MEM). That means one of the two clubs chasing the Red Wings is guaranteed to lose ground every night. In many ways, the standings have set up perfectly for an exciting finish.”
💬 FAN’S CHOICE
Do you think the Redwings can get the automatic bid?
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Speed Reads
📌 Harrisburg Senators Weekly Recap: Richmond Flying Squirrels Series Results and Highlights (The Nats Report)