Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray will undergo season-ending surgery for a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, the team announced Friday.
The extent of Gray’s injury will be determined during surgery with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas next Wednesday. Depending on the severity, Gray may require either an internal brace or Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery, which could keep him out of action well into the next season.
Manager Dave Martinez shared that Gray was deeply affected by the news. Despite being an All-Star last season, the 26-year-old made just two starts this year before being sidelined due to elbow and forearm discomfort. He attempted rehabilitation but experienced fatigue during a recent minor league rehab outing on June 30.
Martinez noted that Gray had been progressing well without pain, only to feel a “dead arm” sensation after his rehab appearance. An MRI during the All-Star break revealed the tear that will end his season.
Reflecting on the setback, Gray expressed determination to learn and grow from the experience, emphasizing that it’s just a temporary obstacle in his career.
Acquired in a significant trade in July 2021, which sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gray played a crucial role in the Nationals’ rebuilding phase following their 2019 World Series victory. He holds a career record of 17-27 with a 4.80 ERA in 72 starts for Washington, including a standout performance last year with an 8-13 record and a career-best 3.81 ERA over 159 innings pitched.
