For the first time since April of 2024, Josiah Gray is back pitching with the Washington Nationals
The wait is officially over: Josiah Gray is back in the majors with the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals announced on Thursday that right handed pitcher Josiah Gray has been reinstated from the 60 day injured list and will close the final nine games of the 2026 regular season in the major league.
Though the season is already lost despite avoiding the 90 loss mark for the first time since 2019 -- excluding the 2020 COVID season -- it marks an opportunity for Gray to prove himself in his first appearance since April of 2024.
Gray arrived in Washington as part of the trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers where he was expected to become a building block in the rotation. After posting a 7-10 record with a 5.02 ERA in 2022, he then reached the All Star Game in 2023 after posting a career-best 3.91 ERA.
Yet injuries would become the theme of Gray's career beginning in 2024 after he was placed on the injured list with a flexor strain in April after just two starts into the regular season. Three months later, the team then announced Gray would undergo season ending surgery to repair a partially torn UCL that then sidelined him in 2025.
He began the 2026 regular season with Triple A Rochester before then being diagnosed with a flexor strain, then placed on the 60 day injured list once again before turning to relief appearances in the minors ahead of his MLB return. With a chance to now begin a late season audition for a spot in the 2027 rotation that will require significant attention from Paul Toboni and the front office this offseason, Gray's return marks a welcomed sight for the Nationals. Andrew Pinckney being sent back down to Triple A Rochester following Wednesday's loss served as the corresponding move to Gray's return.
In addition to announcing the reinstatement of Gray from the 60 day injured list, the Nationals announced that they have requested unconditional release waivers of right handed pitcher Wyatt Mills. The 31 year old was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers back in early August, yet never appeared in a game for the Nationals with Gray now looking to make a dent on the roster.
The Nationals are set to kick off the final road trip of the regular season on Friday, Sept. 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals then the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 21 for consecutive three game series.
