The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray from the injured list Thursday, ending a two-year stretch on the IL. Gray, 28, hasn't pitched in MLB since 2024, missing most of 2024, all of 2025 and most of 2026 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery and subsequently suffering a right flexor strain. Gray began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, serving as a Top 100 prospect in both 2020 and 2021, but made his way to Washington after just two appearances in LA in the trade which sent Trea Turner and Max Scherzer to Los Angeles.
He played in parts of four seasons with the Nationals spanning from 2021-24. He made 12 starts for the team in his rookie season, posting a 5.31 ERA through 62.2 innings while striking out 63 batters. His numbers didn't get much better in 2023, as he allowed an MLB-leading 38 homers and an NL-leading 66 walks on his way to a 5.02 ERA through 148.2 innings pitched.
The following year, though, he broke out. In 2023, Gray posted a 3.91 ERA through 30 starts, striking out 143 batters in 159 innings pitched. He also earned an All-Star selection — the only one of his career so far.
The following season, though, he made just two starts, allowing 13 earned runs in just 8.1 innings pitched. He made 11 appearances on a rehab assignment, featuring at every level of the minors from Class-A to Triple-A, and posted a 3.00 ERA. Across six appearances in Double-A and Triple-A this season, Gray didn't allow a single hit, striking out two batters over the course of 5.2 innings.
If there's one area in which the Nationals need help, it's pitching. Over the course of the season, their pitching has consistently let them down, leading to another unsuccessful season. Cade Cavalli and Andrew Alvarez are their best starters at present, both posting ERAs in the 3.00s, but that's about all they have going for them in the starter department after trading Foster Griffin at the trade deadline.
Gray won't compete for a spot in the rotation this season, as he didn't handle bulk innings during his rehab assignment and having him do so would be risky, but he could take back his spot come spring.
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