On Wednesday night, Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that starting pitcher Josiah Gray underwent Tommy John surgery along with an internal brace procedure to stabilize his elbow, ending his 2024 season. According to MASN’s Mark Zuckerman, Gray is also expected to miss most of the 2025 season.
**Nationals’ Josiah Gray Out for Season Following Tommy John Surgery**
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Gray, who was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter against the Cincinnati Reds on March 28, made just one additional appearance on April 4. In his two 2024 starts, he allowed a combined 13 runs on 15 hits over 8 1/3 innings. Shortly after, the 26-year-old was placed on the injured list with elbow soreness and subsequently made several rehab starts for Triple-A Rochester.
Josiah Gray had Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure earlier today. That knocks him out for the majority of the 2025 season.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 25, 2024
Zuckerman reported that Gray learned last week he had a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow, which necessitated the surgery.
**Minor League Rehab in 2024**
During his 2 1/2-month stint on the IL, Gray had an impressive rehab start for Rochester on June 25, where he allowed only one run over six innings on 73 pitches. This led to discussions about activating him. However, his next minor league start on June 30 was much different; he allowed seven runs over just three innings and reported elbow pain afterward.
**Gray Joins Nationals’ Tommy John Surgery Club**
This marks Gray’s first major injury, but he joins a list of Nationals pitchers who have undergone Tommy John surgery, including Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Joe Ross, Erick Fedde, Cade Cavalli, Lucas Giolito, Tanner Rainey, and Mason Thompson.
Gray was a key prospect acquired in the trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in July 2021. He posted a 5.02 ERA over 28 starts in his first full season with Washington in 2022, followed by a breakthrough year in 2023 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts and his first career All-Star selection.
**Future Outlook for Gray**
The expected recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months, meaning Gray could potentially return to the mound for Washington late in the 2025 season.
