WASHINGTON D.C. - Washington Nationals fans have something to look forward to: right-handed pitcher Brad Lord is slated to claim a spot in the team’s Opening Day bullpen, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. There’s a small catch—Lord isn’t on the 40-man roster yet, meaning the Nationals will need to make a move to lock it in. Fortunately, that adjustment might not be too complicated.

The circumstances surrounding pitcher DJ Herz have created an opportunity, as Herz is now contemplating a decision that, regardless of his choice, will probably result in a substantial absence. While this is a regrettable development for Herz, it might signal the beginning of Lord's MLB career.

Lord’s rise is worth celebrating. Drafted in the 18th round, he turned a corner with a stellar 2024 season and kept the momentum going in Spring Training. That effort has earned him his first shot at the majors, and it’s clear he’s ready to seize it.

During spring camp, Lord pitched 13.1 innings over nine appearances, posting a 0-1 record and a 6.08 ERA. The ERA might raise an eyebrow, but spring stats often come with quirks—small sample sizes and some tough luck can skew the picture. His real breakout shines through in last year’s numbers.

Last season, Lord was a force. He worked his way from High-A to Double-A and Triple-A, throwing 129 2/3 innings across 29 starts with an impressive 2.43 ERA. That performance landed him at #29 on Baseball America’s Nationals prospect list for 2025.

Compare that to 2023, when he split time between Single-A and High-A. Back then, he tossed 104 2/3 innings with a 4.04 ERA, leaning on a massive 61.6% ground ball rate, an 18.5% strikeout rate, and a tight 6.5% walk rate. His ability to adapt and improve is what’s brought him to this point.

What drives Lord? He put it best at the end of the 2024 season: “That is definitely motivation,” Lord, 24, said. “You turn on the game and watch, and they’re going six, seven innings every outing. Not necessarily super-high Draft picks, too. So for a guy like me, that really motivates me, like, ‘I can do this, too. I can compete at the same level.’”

Lord’s on the brink of something big, and Nationals fans should keep watch as the team finalizes its roster.