For Josiah Gray, Monday brought another tough break.
Just days after being sent to Triple-A to begin the season, the right-handed pitcher now faces a 60-day stint on the injured list due to a right flexor strain. This is a significant setback for the 28-year-old, who hasn't seen major league action in nearly two years following Tommy John surgery in 2024. Gray now has to wait until at least late May to return to any level of play.
Initially, Gray was optioned to Triple-A to continue building up as a starting pitcher. He showed promise in the Grapefruit League, delivering 4.2 solid innings with a 21.1 K-BB%.
His journey back has been challenging, especially after being the team’s sole All-Star in 2023 and starting Opening Day in 2024 before his injury. This new hurdle complicates his recovery even further.
A flexor strain involves a tear in the forearm muscles near the inner elbow, crucial for gripping and throwing. It's not unusual for this to occur during rehab from UCL surgery.
While the severity of Gray’s strain is still unknown, the decision to place him directly on the 60-day IL is concerning. If surgery becomes necessary, Gray could face missing a third consecutive season.
Gray's move to the 60-day IL opens a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster, which they filled by adding veteran lefty reliever Cionel Pérez. Pérez, who began his career in Houston, was a key player for the Orioles from 2022 to 2024.
However, his performance dipped in 2025, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Norfolk. At 30, Pérez impressed during camp with improved command, securing a $1.9 million salary with potential bonuses.
He joins PJ Poulin and Ken Waldichuk as left-handed options in the Nationals' bullpen.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Paxton Schultz also hit the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Acquired off waivers from Toronto, Schultz was effective in multi-inning roles but will begin the season on the 15-day IL.
The team will likely assess his condition further during this time. Schultz made three appearances this spring, recording three strikeouts, two walks, and allowing one run.