The Washington Nationals placed starting pitcher and 2023 All-Star Josiah Gray on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain, one of three roster moves the team made on Monday evening.
Gray, 28, underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery including an internal brace procedure, in July 2024. He made three minor league rehab appearances in 2025 but hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in nearly two years.
Gray’s move to the injured list cleared a spot for the Nationals to add left-handed reliever Cionel Pérez to their roster. They also played right-handed reliever Paxton Schultz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Back in 2021, Gray was one of four prospects the Nationals acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. He was seen as a cornerstone of the Nationals rebuild, along with catcher Keibert Ruiz.
In 2022, Gray had a rocky campaign in his first full season in Washington. He surrendered the most walks and homers in the major leagues. Gray made major strides the next season, earned his first All-Star appearance, and pitched a scoreless frame in the Midsummer Classic in Seattle.
The following season, Gray was named the team’s opening day starter and seemed poised to assume a leadership role. But after two starts, he landed on the injured list. He attempted to return that season but re-injured himself on a minor league rehab assignment and had surgery.
Entering this year’s spring training, Gray was deemed healthy. On March 19, Gray was optioned to Triple-A Rochester. He told reporters last week he was expecting that decision so he could gain his velocity back and manage his workload. Now, he’ll have to endure another strenuous rehab process in hopes of returning to the big league mound again.