The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the sickening sound no star ever wants to hear — a fastball colliding with flesh. In a game where instincts and reactions reign supreme, even the sharpest cann’t always dodge danger. One moment, the excitement was palpable; the next, silence swept over the stadium. A painful hit-by-pitch left a vital infielder for the Washington Nationals reeling. It shattered not just bones but aspirations too. Now, after several days, a crucial update has arrived — surgery is imminent, signaling that recovery is underway. It’s time to dive into everything you need to know about the Nationals’ $1M shortstop’s tough road back.
On April 15, what was assumed to be another night of baseball celebration became a nightmare for Paul DeJong. In the sixth inning against the Pirates, the star took a fastball to his left side of his face. It was delivered unintentionally by Mitch Keller. However, the aftermath was tense as trainers rushed to his side. DeJong was visibly shaken and had to walk off the field. The situation fractured the star’s nose and compromised his orbital plate, sparking concern within the team and among fans.
Fast forward to today, and Jon Heyman provided a much-needed update: “Paul DeJong has surgery scheduled for tomorrow to repair his sinuses and orbital plate. DeJong was hit in the face by a fastball on April 15 but needed to wait to be ready for surgery. He’s expected to make a full recovery and be back this year. Hopefully sooner rather than later.” After seeing a specialist, doctors decided surgery is the best way to help him recover. He is expected to play again this year, but the exact return date is not known yet.
Paul DeJong has surgery scheduled for tomorrow to repair his sinuses and orbital plate. DeJong was hit in the face by a fastball April 15 but needed to wait to be ready for surgery. He’s expected to make a full recovery and be back this year. Hopefully sooner rather that later.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 27, 2025
This update gave fans a sense of cautious optimism. While the damage was serious, the fact that he is expected to make a full recovery provides a much-needed silver lining for the star and the Nationals.
However, before reaching this point, there was a careful waiting game. After the initial injury, he was placed on the 10-day injured list. DeJong underwent multiple medical evaluations, including an important visit to his eye specialist to rule out vision damage. Thankfully, the star cleared that barrier. However, the surgery was non-negotiable. It was not just about healing naturally; it was about ensuring a full and safe comeback without lingering issues.
With the update, fans are now looking ahead, hoping for a timeline that puts their favourite star back on the team quicker. Yet, no official return date has been confirmed. It is a tough time, specifically considering the Nationals’ reliance on his elite power this season.
Shaping the future of the Nationals
The situation of the team without DeJong is serious. However, the Nationals’ future is beginning to take shape because of the dazzling performance of James Wood. With a strong start to the 2025 season, he has emerged as a star in the making. In addition, Wood has showcased an impressive mix of power, precision, and stability at the plate. Wood’s eight HR, 19 RBIs, and .257/.359/.545 slash line has put him in the spotlight. The star’s quick rise to prominence has Nationals fans buzzing with excitement.
Last year, the slugger played about half of the season. At that time, he proved his capability as an elite talent. In 2024, Wood slashed .264/.354/.427 with nine HR, 41 RBI, and 14 SB. For a player of his age, such numbers were very impressive. However, fans know one thing: the Nationals are no strangers to developing young star outfielders. For instance, Bryce Harper and Juan Soto came up and delivered effectively at very young ages. There is no doubt that Wood is adopting those footsteps.
Wood’s development is certainly exciting for the team. They will hope that other stars follow his lead. After a great start to the season, it certainly looks like Wood is on his way to becoming a superstar.
While the team anxiously awaits DeJong’s return, the rise of Wood provides a much-needed beacon of hope. Injuries could test the team’s depth, but such moments highlight future cornerstones. With Wood flashing early signs of stardom and DeJong on the slow but steady path to recovery, the Nationals’ present may be bruised — but their future is beginning to look dangerously bright.
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