Headlines

  • Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment
  • Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Braves Select Craig Kimbrel
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
  • White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel
  • Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Nationals’ Josiah Gray Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

By Steve Adams | July 24, 2024 at 12:58pm CDT

July 24: Gray underwent a Tommy John procedure and internal brace, tweets Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com. He’ll miss at least the bulk of next season.

July 19: Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will undergo season-ending surgery next week, tweets Bobby Blanco of MASNsports.com. Gray tells reporters that it hasn’t yet been determined whether he’ll undergo a traditional Tommy John surgery, an internal brace procedure or a hybrid of both (X link via Andrew Golden of the Washington Post). That determination won’t be made until the surgery is being performed, but he’ll be sidelined well into next season regardless.

Gray, 26, came to the Nats alongside catcher Keibert Ruiz in the blockbuster 2021 deadline trade sending Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers. He stepped into the Nats’ rotation that same summer and has been a fixture on the staff since, although he’s only been healthy enough to make two starts in 2024. Gray was rocked for 13 runs in just 8 1/3 innings across those two outings before heading to the injured list with a flexor strain.

Just a few weeks ago, things looked to be trending up for Gray. He went out on a minor league rehab assignment on June 9 and, after a shaky first outing, allowed four runs in 15 innings across his next three starts. He tossed six innings in a Triple-A appearance on June 25 and allowed just one run on four hits and no walks with four punchouts. At the time, it seemed that with one more rehab outing, Gray would get the go-ahead to rejoin the Nationals’ rotation.

His next start, however, yielded disastrous results. He was torched for seven runs in just three innings and exited the game with an injury — this time feeling discomfort in his right elbow. Further testing was performed, and Gray unfortunately received the worst-case scenario for any pitcher when he undergoes testing on his elbow.

A former second-round pick, Gray was long touted as a top prospect before his big league debut — not necessarily because of an ace-caliber ceiling but because he was considered a very likely third or fourth starter. In 2023, he looked to have emerged as just that with the Nats, tossing 159 innings with a 3.91 ERA. Gray’s 20.5% strikeout rate and particularly his 11.5% walk rate were worse than the league average, but he substantially cut back on his prior home run troubles last season. Even with sub-par strikeout and walk rates, Gray looked the part of an innings-eating back-end starter, and given that he was just entering his age-26 season, the possibility for another step forward remained.

Now, he’ll be sidelined well into his age-27 campaign — potentially missing the majority of next season, depending on the extent of the surgery he requires. A Tommy John or Tommy John/internal brace hybrid could come with a recovery timetable of up to 14 months. If his recovery is indeed on the lengthy end of the spectrum, it’s possible this injury will knock him out until Opening Day 2026.

Gray entered the 2024 season with 2.075 years of service. He’s been collecting big league service time on the injured list and will continue to do so for the remainder of the year. He’ll finish at 3.075 years and qualify for arbitration for the first time. He’s entrenched in the team’s plans and has three seasons of control remaining beyond the current year, so there’s no chance he’ll be considered a non-tender candidate, even if it’s possible he misses all of next year.

Subtracting Gray from the rotation outlook is a significant punch to the Nationals’ outlook over the next year-plus. With Patrick Corbin coming off the books and top prospect Cade Cavalli soon to return from his own Tommy John procedure, the Nats could look ahead to a 2025 rotation of Gray, Cavalli, MacKenzie Gore, breakout righty Jake Irvin and impressive rookie Mitchell Parker — to say nothing of any potential offseason additions to the pitching staff.

With Gray now on the shelf, that’ll only add further motivation for longtime baseball ops leader Mike Rizzo to add some rotation help in the winter (or perhaps to nab a near-MLB-ready arm at this month’s July 30 trade deadline). The Nationals aren’t quite done with their rebuilding effort — they traded Hunter Harvey last week and could well trade Kyle Finnegan, Jesse Winker and others before the deadline — but are in the final stages. James Wood, the sport’s No. 1 prospect per Baseball America, made his debut earlier this month. Gore, CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. have cemented themselves as core players this season. Last year’s No. 2 overall pick, Dylan Crews, should make his big league debut before long. Things are trending up, but the injury to Gray is a setback of some note that figures to factor into the organization’s offseason outlook.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Newsstand Washington Nationals Josiah Gray

Christian Yelich Could Require Back Surgery
Main
J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodriguez Facing Notable Absences
View Comments (24)
Post a Comment

24 Comments

  1. DM_Nats

    11 months ago

    Even more reason for Riz to go get a top arm this offseason

    1
    Reply
    • SewaldSwansonSwoon

      11 months ago

      Yeah for that 2025 WS run? This sucks for the Nats but going out & paying a premium pitcher without having much power in the lineup seems like a giant misstep. Stay the course, build incrementally one more year with Corbin off the books, then spend.

      3
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        11 months ago

        Actually, you are both right. If the Nationals are going to start spending like they used to, it is a good time to bring in a starting pitcher. But if they are going to spend like a small market team, then they should probably wait until Wood, Crews and House are near full cylinders.

        4
        Reply
      • DM_Nats

        11 months ago

        They’re not nearly as far off as people think. I think going hard after Walker/Kim/call up Crews and let’s say one of the top arms like Fried and they’re a WC team. Can easily find a corner OF like T. Hernandez or Santander for a 1 year deal until Lile or Hassell are ready to come up with Crews/Wood

        1
        Reply
        • yeasties

          11 months ago

          It seems like a common failure with rebuilds is that the team thinks they are closer than they really are; that too many young players that project to be cornerstones don’t fully pan out. I don’t have the stats to back it up but I feel like the correct move is stay disciplined and wait until you’re more than ready to go.

          Reply
        • amk1920

          11 months ago

          There is nothing about the Nationals play that suggests they are close. This is the 5th straight season of unwatchable baseball they are playing. Farm system is getting better but that has done nothing for them

          Reply
        • Armaments216

          11 months ago

          The Nationals will have plenty of money to spend. They can afford to field a competitive team, albeit maybe not a serious playoff contender, just by paying market value to add short term contracts to fill short term needs.

          Meanwhile, keep building up their system. Keep stockpiling prospects and give them time to fully develop. Where teams start to go wrong is when they try to fill holes by trading from a perceived surplus in their system, and then that system inevitably doesn’t fully pan out the way they expected.

          1
          Reply
        • SewaldSwansonSwoon

          11 months ago

          Neither Teo nor Santander are going to go from middle-of-the-order bats on the some of the best teams in baseball to signing with the Nats on a one-year deal just ten weeks from now. Both will have strong markets for multi-year deals on contenders.

          3
          Reply
        • SewaldSwansonSwoon

          11 months ago

          Yeasties – agree. They have holes at 1B, 3B, and RF if Lane leaves. Wood needs to take a major step forward to be considered a real upgrade from Winker. Keibert, frankly, sucks. Abrams and Luis both have defensive holes in their game that need to be fixed (or Luis gets replaced) before they can actually contend. And Ildemaro Vargas should get zero playing time on a contender. The Nats lack power, they’re still 3-4 credible starting position pieces away from having a good enough offense & defense to support big spending on a marquee pitcher. And any marquee pitcher will see that from a mile away, and run.

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          11 months ago

          I think the Nationals are getting close. Next year they should be a 500 team and in 2026 I could easily see them being a playoff team. Perhaps a legit contender after that if they spend the right way and their young guys develop. A lot of times when you sign a big free agent it takes them a year to get fully adjusted and perform to the best of their abilities so I could see them signing a couple guys this offsesson. Younger guys not older guys.

          Reply
    • Rsox

      11 months ago

      If they can get Corbin Burnes do it. If not, then stay the course

      1
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        11 months ago

        That would be an upgrade to replace P. Corbin with Corbin B.!

        2
        Reply
  2. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    11 months ago

    Sucks for the nats

    At least he will be back in 2026 (?)

    Reply
  3. Acoss1331

    11 months ago

    Well, that might explain the ERA above 14. Hopefully he comes back strong for spring training 2026.

    Reply
  4. Armaments216

    11 months ago

    Just as Cade Cavalli nears the end of his own rehab. Next up on the UCL carousel.

    1
    Reply
    • 920falcon

      11 months ago

      If Cavalli pitches at all, this year, it will be somewhat of a surprise, honestly, and Gray is likely out until 2026.

      Reply
  5. Datashark

    11 months ago

    Career ender for Gray just has not produced to what he was thought he could be.

    Reply
    • dcftw

      11 months ago

      Career ender? It’s just TJ dude jfc

      4
      Reply
      • Datashark

        11 months ago

        TJ is going to put him out all next year and he had control issues prior this is not going to solve his problem. Gray if anything he is nothing more than a RP going forward at best – I figure it will take a longer road back to MLB for gray if he ever comes back.

        Reply
  6. nanyuanb

    11 months ago

    Gray has been average. If the other emerging SPs can keep posting 3.5+ ERA, the NATS can still compete for WC next season.

    1
    Reply
    • SewaldSwansonSwoon

      11 months ago

      I agree. But they should not back up the Brinks truck for a marquee SP this offseason regardless. Irvin may be real, or this could be a ceiling year for him; Gore still shows gobs of immaturity, and while Parker is my favorite of the bunch, guys like him tend to get figured out and annihilated in years 2 & 3. Herz has serious potential, but he’s got to harness that control a smidge better. Either way, that rotation is decent enough for WC, plus maybe a Trevor Williams return deal (is he FA this year?) or similar. But no Burnes or whatever some of the other delusional comments wished for.

      1
      Reply
  7. iceman813

    11 months ago

    Wouldn’t signing Soto back this offseason help with Power in the mid of the lineup???
    Just saying…
    Lol…that’s a pipe dream I know…but we are gonna need some beef in the middle of that lineup…I’m excited about all the young guns coming up from the minors and our starting pitchers showing signs of some serious staying power in the rotation…
    Shame about Gray but I believe he will come back better in 26…
    Rizzo should go get a couple of right handed arms and a couple quality Big Bats for the mid of the lineup….if he does that I think we can contend for a playoff spot and a WS as soon as next year…
    U have to believe the young players we have now playing will be better next year and if that’s the case all we have to do is add on some Quality Vet Help at certain positions and we should be good..

    Reply
  8. This one belongs to the Reds

    11 months ago

    Good luck to Gray on his recovery. Thought he was a keeper when seeing him pitch for the Nats.

    1
    Reply
  9. bjhaas1977

    11 months ago

    Manfred surgery

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    AJ Smith-Shawver Diagnosed With Torn UCL

    Reds Trade Alexis Díaz To Dodgers

    Rockies Sign Orlando Arcia

    Ronel Blanco To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Joc Pederson Suffers Right Hand Fracture

    Recent

    Tigers Notes: Vierling, Olson, Urquidy, Boyd

    Twins Place Zebby Matthews On 15-Day IL, Reinstate Danny Coulombe

    Yankees Claim CJ Alexander

    Phillies Claim Ryan Cusick, Designate Kyle Tyler

    Brewers Claim Drew Avans

    White Sox Sign Tyler Alexander, Place Jared Shuster On 15-Day IL

    Orioles Designate Matt Bowman For Assignment

    Diamondbacks Select Kyle Backhus, Designate Aramis Garcia

    Athletics Acquire Austin Wynns

    Julio Rodriguez Helped Off Field Following Apparent Injury

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version