Gray to have elbow surgery, ending his 2024 season (Ferrer reinstated)

The Nationals returned from the All-Star break in high spirits. Everyone seemed to enjoy the much-needed week off after a brutal stretch to end the first half of the season.

But the vibes in the clubhouse took a turn when the team received some unfortunate, though not totally unexpected, news: Josiah Gray has a partial tear of his right UCL and will require elbow surgery, ending his season and delaying his start to next year.

The right-hander experienced elbow discomfort during his last rehab start on June 30 with Triple-A Rochester, so the Nationals shut him down and scheduled an MRI and a consultation with specialist Keith Meister during the All-Star break.

The results were what they feared the most.

“It got looked at by Dr. Meister over the All-Star break and we found a little partial tear in UCL. So we're gonna opt for elbow surgery here,” Gray said in front of his locker in the Nats clubhouse before the second-half opener against the Reds. “It's gonna, obviously, end the year for me. I got a long road ahead, but that was kind of what the doctor saw and we got that opinion from him and we're kind of going to hit the ground running.”

Gray said he won't know if he’ll need a full Tommy John surgery, an internal brace procedure or a hybrid of the two until after Meister performs surgery on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.

“From my understanding, a lot of that comes down to what he sees when he goes in there,” the 26-year-old said. “If the ligament is not as damaged as MRI imaging shows, we can hold out hope for the internal brace procedure. If the ligament is damaged, we can, obviously, opt for Tommy John. And obviously, there are the hybrids in place, which is the merging of the two, as well. So truly, it's just a wait and see. We'll see.

“At the core of it, it's going to be elbow surgery. So whether it's the internal brace procedure, traditional Tommy John or the hybrid procedure, it's going to be elbow surgery and, obviously, end the year and take away some of next year. But I'm gonna fight tooth and nail to get back here as soon as possible and help these guys win some games.”

That June 30 appearance was his fifth rehab start of the month. The previous outing, however, was his best to date: six innings of one-run ball on 73 pitches. But his final one was the complete opposite, as he was roughed up for seven runs in three innings while his fastball topped out at just 91.9 mph.

“That was probably the toughest thing for me to kind of wrap my head around,” Gray said. “Because I felt like I was oh so close to getting back here in this clubhouse and contributing to wins. I felt really good my outing before when I came out, obviously, a little bit with some discomfort. So I was, like, man, you can kind of like taste it. But unfortunately, there were other plans behind the scenes. Unfortunately, I hit the hardest setback of all. I think that was probably the toughest thing.”

Until this season, Gray had not suffered any arm injuries since making his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2021. He made every scheduled start for the Nats after he was traded along with Keibert Ruiz and two other prospects that summer for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner.

After being named an All-Star for the first time last year, Gray started on Opening Day this spring. But he struggled in his first two starts, allowing 13 runs on 15 hits in 8 1/3 innings. He landed on the 15-day injured list April 9 after he first noticed elbow discomfort following his second start.

The rehab process was slow, but Gray was optimistic throughout and was close to coming off the IL and starting in a major league game again. Then he felt something in that last rehab start.

“He didn't feel anything 'til his last rehab start,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He just said he felt like he had dead arm. So we let it rest. After talking to him, he just kind of wanted to let it rest before he went and saw the doctor again. And they deemed that, after swelling went down, he had a little slight tear. Then it was up to him with what he wanted to do and how he wanted to handle it. Between him and the doctor, they opted to have the surgery.”

After being so positive throughout his initial rehab process, Gray admitted it was tough to accept that he would need surgery. Though clearly emotional when talking to the media, he was able to keep himself composed while saying he’s accepted it and is ready to get this new process going.

“I'm doing OK. I'm doing better than I expected,” he said. “My No. 1 goal was to keep myself composed when I was talking to you guys. So I'm doing all right with that. But honestly, I'm at peace with it. I've understood that a lot of people have setbacks in their careers and, unfortunately, mine is this year, 2024. But I want to come back stronger and better for it. And I'm excited to just be around the guys and watch all the young guys go out there and do their thing. See what we can do and, hopefully, knock on the door of the playoffs. Kind of just show people that we're here to play and that we're serious about turning the corner of this thing.”

“It was tough,” Martinez said of his conversation with his young starter. “He was emotional, I got emotional. As you know, I love the kid, just like I do all the other ones we got. But he's kind of special because he cares a lot about this organization, this team, and wants to be out there and compete and help us win.”

Gray is going to stay with the team for much of the second half after surgery. He can do most of the early stages of the rehab here, while also keeping up with his strength in other parts of his body, and he’ll be able to keep a close eye on his fellow pitchers.

“In talking with Davey and talking with the medical guys, I think it makes sense because I can do the early stages of the rehab here,” he said. “But also I think, for me, being around the game, being around this team, I want to be connected to these guys. Obviously, I can't go out there and suit up and get strikeouts. But I'll, hopefully, be an encourager as much as possible. So I'm just grateful for that and grateful to be here.”

Although it was tough news for the Nationals today, they are already looking forward to having Gray back for the second half of next season, when they hope to be making a playoff push.

“We'll miss him, but he'll be back,” Martinez said. “He'll be back and he'll be back in a great time where we feel like we're gonna be vying for another playoff spot and it'll be fun for him. So let's get this fixed and get him on the mound again and get him going.”

“He's gonna get through this,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. “And at this time next year, he's going to be a great trade deadline deal for us to bring him back. So that's the way I look at it.”

* Before Gray announced his news, the Nationals announced a roster move as the second half gets underway.

They returned from rehabilitation assignment and reinstated left-hander Jose A. Ferrer from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham to Triple-A Rochester.

Ferrer, 24, had been on the IL since March with a left lat strain. He joins the active roster after appearing in eight rehab games between the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Nationals and Double-A Harrisburg, pitching to a 2.08 ERA with nine strikeouts, four walks and a .111 opponents’ batting average.

The Nationals now have two left-handers in the bullpen, with Ferrer pitching only one inning at a time at first.

“I like having a lefty in the bullpen. That's nice,” Martinez said. “So it's good to see, and Ferrer has been throwing the ball really well.

Willingham, 25, gave up a two-run home run to Willy Adames in his only inning of relief on Sunday in Milwaukee.