Gray throws 34 pitches in rehab debut for Wilmington

CHICAGO – Josiah Gray made his return to competitive baseball today, the Nationals right-hander throwing 34 pitches during a rehab start for Single-A Wilmington that represented a major milestone in his return from elbow surgery.

Nearly 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure to reconstruct and reinforce the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, Gray took the mound to face an opposing team for the first time. Donning a No. 20 Blue Rocks uniform at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, he faced seven Aberdeen batters in total, retiring four without allowing a hit.

Gray was sharp in the top of the first, striking out the first batter he faced before inducing two fly outs. His command wavered in the top of the second, leading to a pair of walks and a hit batter. Scheduled for 30-35 pitches from the outset, he was pulled with the bases loaded and one out in the second, deferring to reliever Peyton Glavine, who got out of the jam without allowing a run.

All told, Gray threw 18 of his 34 pitches for strikes, appearing to use his full arsenal.

Truth be told, results were secondary for Gray in this rehab debut. The Nationals were focused solely on his ability to pitch in a competitive game and emerge healthy from it.

A National League All-Star in 2023 and the Nats’ Opening Day starter in 2024, Gray wound up taking the mound only twice to begin the season before landing on the injured list with a flexor strain his forearm. He appeared to recover from that ailment and made five rehab starts for three minor league affiliates in June, seemingly on the verge of rejoining the big league rotation.

But after experiencing a setback in his rehab, Gray was shut down and underwent a new MRI that revealed the torn UCL. He had both Tommy John surgery and the internal brace procedure July 24, 2024, in Dallas and began the long road back.

Gray expressed optimism all along he would make it back before the end of the 2025 season. The Nationals remained cautious with him and only cleared him to begin his minor league rehab assignment today. It’s still possible he could pitch in the majors before season’s end if everything goes smoothly from here on out and if the club is willing to give him that opportunity.

Either way, the Nats expect Gray to enjoy a normal offseason and report to spring training next February ready to make the Opening Day rotation.