This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WASHINGTON -- Josiah Gray’s daily routine has been following a meticulously mapped out rehab program as he recovers from Tommy John surgery at the Nationals training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.
This weekend, he brought his throwing regimen to Nationals Park. Gray, the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy Player Ambassador, wouldn’t miss delivering the keynote speech at the Academy’s graduation ceremony on Saturday morning, prior to Washington's 5-0 loss to Texas.
“Definitely [have] important matters with the Nationals Youth Academy graduation,” Gray said on Friday. “But I’m throwing a bullpen tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to getting ready for that as well. I think it's a lot of important things this week, but also, [you’ve] got to stay on schedule and stay locked in with my work as well.”
Gray, 27, underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure on July 24, 2024. He is in his third week of throwing two bullpens a week. Gray has progressed to 30 pitches per session, starting with his fastball and moving next to fastball, curveball.
“Obviously, you always look at the 12-month mark being the first time you face hitters around then,” Gray said. “So being a month, a month-and-a-half away from that, I obviously felt like I'd be right here and in a good spot, throwing bullpens. Just looking forward to each day. That's what we're going to do -- we're going to keep plugging away and just stacking days.”
Gray said on Friday he feels “great,” and he wants to be “110 percent” when he returns to the mound. It is a goal for him to pitch this season, having earned an All-Star selection in 2023 but being limited to 8 1/3 innings last year.
“Being able to come up here and do whatever I can for this team this year in 2025 would be a blessing,” said Gray. “Obviously controlling what I can control and how I'm feeling each day, but being able to get back up here and help us win some games down the stretch would be awesome. And that's what I'm looking forward to doing. We’ve just got to keep building up the days ‘til we get to that point and have some decisions be made.”
Manager Dave Martinez has received positive feedback from the Nationals staff at the training complex. Gray is rehabbing with fellow pitchers DJ Herz (Tommy John), Shinnosuke Ogasawara (oblique) and Mason Thompson (Tommy John).
“The ball is coming out well, and he’s well on his way,” said Martinez. “... I was excited to see him today. He’s been awesome. All of the reports have been great. He works his butt off every day. He’s itching to come back. But this is the time now where you’re starting to get closer, you’re starting to see the light, but you’ve got to understand that there’s still a process with this Tommy John surgery.”
Gray’s locker space was busy on Friday when he returned to Nationals Park. Teammates he had played with in Spring Training and over multiple seasons alike gathered around to check in with the affable right-hander.
“It's always good to see the guys and be around them for a little bit,” said Gray. “It's only a three-day trip right now, but just to see everyone, catch up for the short moments that we have together is always a good time, and just to feel [like] part of the team again is always a blessing. So I'm looking forward to these three days and just thinking about the next time I'll be back up here.”