Nationals place Josiah Gray on 60-day IL with right flexor strain

The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Josiah Gray on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain on Monday. The move marked another setback for Washington’s 2023 All-Star, as he attempts to return from Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure.

This qualifies as a surprise in Washington. The 28-year-old was given a clean bill of health coming into camp and had an outside shot at making the starting rotation. For one spring start, his velocity was back up to 94 mph. Some minor alarm bells rang, though, when Gray’s fastball velocity dipped down between 90 and 92 mph in his final spring training start — which the organization indicated was a significant factor in keeping him off the Opening Day roster.

“I feel so close to being the pitcher I was before,” Gray said when he was sent down last week. “I think the last thing we all want to see come back a little bit better is velocity and (to) sustain that. But I know my stuff is there.”

Barring an unforeseen development, the Nationals’ Opening Day bullpen will be:

Clayton Beeter
Cole Henry
Brad Lord
Cionel Pérez (L)
Andre Granillo
PJ Poulin (L)
Gus Varland
Ken Waldichuk (L)

— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) March 23, 2026

Gray last pitched in the majors in April 2024 and, at the time, was diagnosed with the same injury — a right flexor strain. After experiencing some discomfort during the recovery process, he was re-evaluated and diagnosed with a tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. He had surgery that July. He will hope for more optimistic evaluations this time around.

Gray’s move to the 60-day injured list opened up a spot for Cionel Pérez on the 40-man roster.