The Washington Nationals saw several players make the next step in their recovery process after revealing multiple injury updates on Tuesday
One starter for the Washington Nationals avoided a major injury after meeting with reporters ahead of Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins.
Luis Garcia Jr. will not go on the injured list and will remain day to day after suffering a minor right hand and wrist sprain, he told reporters on Tuesday. Garcia left in the sixth inning
after the team announced he suffered wrist soreness, a new twist under the new regime with in-game injuries now announced to media.
Yet avoiding the injured list is a boost for a Nationals squad battling injuries with several players. Garcia is currently hitting .234/.259/.336 with a .595 OPS, one home run, 16 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 107 at-bats in 2026.
The Nationals also announced a handful more injury updates, including both of the likely closers ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Clayton Beeter has returned to throwing off the mound after being placed on the 15 day injured list, retroactive to April 23, due to right forearm soreness. Cole Henry, who was also placed on the 15 day injured list after suffering a right rotator cuff strain back in mid-April, has also returned to pitching after the Nationals announced that Cole Henry threw a 30 pitch bullpen.
The most encouraging news is the return of right handed pitcher Josiah Gray as he has resumed throwing after suffering a major injury that has put doubt on his 2026 season.
The Nationals announced in late March that Gray would be placed on the 60 day injured list after being diagnosed with a right flexor strain, putting a timetable for an actual return to the Nationals' active roster this season in doubt.
Gray was part of the return package in the 2021 trade that sent Trea Turner and Max Scherzer to the Los Angeles Dodgers, yet the return on Gray has been limited due to injury. The veteran last pitched on the mound back on April 4, 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Nationals, meanwhile, are set to host the Minnesota Twins for a three game series at Nationals Park beginning Tuesday evening. This marks the only series between the two team throughout the 2026 regular season as the Nationals look to find some level of consistent success at home after entering Tuesday just 4-12 at home, though they avoided a sweep after beating the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon.