WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Nationals made a significant round of roster moves in the final days of Spring Training.

On Thursday, the club optioned infielder Nasim Nuñez, catcher Drew Millas and southpaws DJ Herz and Shinnosuke Ogasawara to Triple-A Rochester.

Herz and Ogasawara were competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, Nuñez was vying for a backup infield role and Millas was contending to be the backup catcher.

LHP DJ Herz
2025 Spring stats: 4 games (3 starts), 0-2, 6.52 ERA, 9 2/3 innings, 9 walks, 4 strikeouts

Herz’s velocity dipped in camp compared to last season, when his fastball averaged 93.5 mph as a rookie. He maxed at 3 1/3 innings as he got stretched out this spring. Herz, 24, had made nine starts on the Triple-A level before being called up to the Majors last June.

“Last year, he only had [19 Major League] starts. He hasn’t pitched that much,” manager Dave Martinez said. “… [I told him], we’re going to need you at some point, so go down there and get yourself ready and keep yourself ready.”

LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara
2025 Spring stats: 5 games, 1-3, 11.25 ERA, 12 innings, 8 walks, 10 strikeouts

Ogasawara, who had a nine-year career with the Chunichi Dragons, is the first player signed by the Nationals from Japan. He faced an adjustment period pitching against Major League hitters for the first time, establishing consistency in the strike zone and throwing every five days. As his pitch count ballooned, Ogasawara was unable to complete four innings in his last two starts.

“A thing I saw on video when he was pitching [in Japan] is that he threw a lot of strikes,” Martinez said. “He was able to throw his breaking balls for strikes, his changeup for strikes. So he’s got to do that here. He cannot walk away from the strike zone here.”

What do these moves mean?
The decisions to option Herz and Ogasawara would indicate left-hander Mitchell Parker will earn the final starting spot, though the team has not announced the rotation. Parker posted a 3.65 ERA in four outings (two starts), including holding the Mets to one run in five innings on Saturday.

INF Nasim Nuñez
2025 Spring stats: 21 games, .419/.486/.484, .970 OPS, 11 runs, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, 7 stolen bases

Nuñez had one of the most standout Spring Trainings on the Nationals. Following limited playing time in his rookie season, Nuñez reported to camp with an improved hitting approach and a new mindset. The 24-year-old infielder complemented his athletic defense with notable production at the plate. The plan for Nuñez, who advanced straight from Double-A to the Majors last season as a Rule 5 Draft pick, is to get consistent reps on the Red Wings.

“The biggest thing with Nasim was, he earned the right to play every day and continue his progress and his development,” Martinez said. “... He came to Spring Training and did really, really well. We want to keep that going for him and keep him ready. If something happens up here, we need Nasim to come up here and play every day.”

What does this move mean?
The 26th roster spot is down to José Tena and Juan Yepez. The lefty-hitting Tena has a career .291 batting average against right-handers and .190 versus left-handers. He took over the starting third-base role following last year’s Trade Deadline, and he can play shortstop, second base and be tabbed as a pinch-runner. The right-handed Yepez can play first base, outfield and DH. He has even career splits versus righties and lefties.

C Drew Millas
2025 Spring stats: 15 games, .056/.227/.111, .338 OPS, 4 runs, 1 double, 1 stolen base

Millas has established a solid relationship with the Nationals’ pitching staff from his time in the Minors to playing at the big league level the past two seasons. The Nats would like that rhythm to carry over to the plate, too, during the opportunities available as a backup catcher.

“He’s one of those unique catchers because he’s very athletic and he’s a switch-hitter,” Martinez said. “He’s done really well in the Minor Leagues. But he’s got to be consistent when he gets to the big leagues.”

What does this move mean?
Riley Adams and Andrew Knizner are vying for the backup role behind Keibert Ruiz. The Nationals avoided arbitration with Adams in November and signed him to a one-year deal worth $850,000. He is out of Minor League options. Knizner signed a Minor League contract with the Nationals this offseason and was invited to Major League camp.