The Washington Nationals avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray on Friday, agreeing on a one-year, $1.35 million contract.
The Washington Nationals managed to get through winter meetings relatively quiet with the lone trade involving Jose Ferrar last week marking the lone major acquisition of the Blake Butera era, but they will officially have another piece back after finalizing the return of a former All-Star.
The Washington Nationals avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Josiah Gray on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million deal, first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal marks the same salary that he made in 2025.
Gray is expected to be available during spring training and available for the 2026 season after missing the entirety of the 2025 season due to right elbow surgery.
"Gray missed all of 2025 after elbow surgery and will make the same money as this year. He will be ready to pitch in spring training,” Passon wrote on X.
Gray, who will turn 28 on Dec. 21, was a former second-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College in New York. Gray was then part of a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers that involved Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig before being activated to the 40-man roster on July 20, 2021.
Ten days later, Gray was traded to the Nationals in 2021 in the trade involving Max Scherzer and Trea Turner before debuting in Washington on Aug. 2, 2021 against the Phillies, allowing four hits and one run in five innings. He recorded his first win in the major league on Sept. 22, 2021 after allowing six hits, eight strikeouts and two runs against the Marlins.
After finishing 7-10 with a 5.02 ERA in 2022, Gray posted a career-best 3.91 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in while finishing 8-13 in 30 starts, enough to serve as the Nationals’ lone representative in the 2023 All Star game. Gray then made just two starts in 2024 before being placed on injured reserve with flexor strain in early April, then undergoing season-ending surgery in mid-July to repair a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.
Gray is 17-27 with a 4.84 ERA in 73 starts and one relief appearance in his career and remains under contract through the 2027 season.
Now back healthy, Gray adds to the Nationals’ rotation with MacKenzie Gore reportedly continuing to draw interest across the league.
The Nationals still have five players eligible for arbitration including shortstop CJ Abrams, second baseman Luis Garcia and right-handers Cade Cavalli and Jake Irvin.