A key part of the Washington Nationals’ future won’t be available until 2025. Pitcher Josiah Gray will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. According to Jessica Camerato of MLB.com.
Gray, 26, is scheduled to undergo surgery next Wednesday. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister will determine whether he needs Tommy John reconstructive surgery or will undergo an internal bracing procedure.
“It’s not going to be the end of my story,” Gray said. told the Associated Press.
Gray was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter but made just one more appearance this season after being sidelined with a right elbow and forearm flexor strain. He made five rehab starts during his recovery but was sidelined again after allowing seven runs in three innings for Triple-A Rochester on June 30. He underwent an MRI during the All-Star break and the tear was discovered.
“That was probably the hardest thing for me to take in, because I felt like I was very close to coming back to this club and contributing to wins.” Gray told Camerato“But unfortunately there were other plans behind the scenes and unfortunately I was faced with the hardest setback of all.”
Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz were the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top two prospects when they were traded to Washington along with two other minor leaguers in the 2021 trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to Los Angeles. He finishes his 2024 season with nine strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings, a 14.04 ERA and an 0-2 record.
In four seasons with the Nationals, he has a 4.80 ERA, 369 strikeouts in 378 2/3 innings and a 17-27 record. Last year, he was the Nationals’ only All-Star and finished with an 8-13 record, a 3.91 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 159 innings.
