Washington Nationals Lose Pitcher Josiah Gray To Major Arm Injury
Photo: Instagram/Josiah Gray |
Washington Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray has become the latest casualty in Major League Baseball's concerning trend of arm injuries among pitchers.
Gray was sidelined due to a flexor tendon strain, landing him on the injured list for 15 days.
The Nationals revealed on Tuesday that Gray would miss action due to a right elbow/forearm flexor strain. His absence from the mound meant a change in plans for the Nationals' game against the San Francisco Giants, with Joan Adon called up from Triple-A Rochester to fill his spot.
The Nationals revealed on Tuesday that Gray would miss action due to a right elbow/forearm flexor strain. His absence from the mound meant a change in plans for the Nationals' game against the San Francisco Giants, with Joan Adon called up from Triple-A Rochester to fill his spot.
Photo: Instagram/Josiah Gray |
Despite an early promising start to the season with nine strikeouts in 8⅓ innings, Gray had struggled, allowing 13 runs and 15 hits over two starts. Last season, he ended with an 8–13 record and a 3.91 ERA, tallying 143 strikeouts in 159 innings but also conceding 22 home runs and 80 walks.
Gray, a former top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, became a significant acquisition for the Nationals in the trade that involved Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in 2021. With arbitration eligibility looming next year, Gray's injury adds further complexity to his future with the team.
Josiah Gray, Nasty Breaking Balls. 😨 pic.twitter.com/m6ju5RLKze
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 9, 2023
His injury adds to a growing list of prominent pitchers sidelined this season, including Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, and Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros. Some, like Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians, Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox, and Eury Perez of the Miami Marlins, have either undergone or are facing reconstructive Tommy John surgery.
Experts are examining various factors contributing to the surge in pitching injuries, such as increased velocity and grip on the ball to enhance spin rate. The MLB Players Association has pointed fingers at the league's pitch clock implemented last season, although opinions vary among players like Bieber regarding its role in the epidemic.
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Source: Yahoo Sports
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