This will be the first trip to the injured list in the major leagues for the 26-year-old Gray, who was Washington’s Opening Day starter. His only other stint on the IL came in 2021, when he was a minor leaguer in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ system.
Gray entered the year hoping to build on a season in which he earned his first all-star appearance but struggled in the second half. He had a tough start against the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day, when he allowed seven runs in four innings. In his most recent start, Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he gave up six runs in 4⅓ innings. Gray is 0-2 with a 14.04 ERA. An injury could explain his rocky start.
Gray joins a growing list of pitchers dealing with arm injuries. In the National League East alone, Atlanta Braves righty Spencer Strider is on the IL and Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez was set to undergo Tommy John surgery this week. New York Mets righty Kodai Senga is sidelined with a right capsule strain.
There’s also Cleveland Guardians righty Shane Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, who needs surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. New York Yankees righty Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, is rehabbing in hopes of a return from nerve inflammation in his right elbow. Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez experienced soreness in his left elbow this week.
A long-term injury for Gray would be a major blow to the Nationals, whose young arms are a key part of their rebuild. Washington is already without Cade Cavalli, who made his major league debut in August 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2023 and has yet to face live hitters.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
