Injuries & Moves: Gray undergoes season-ending surgery
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July 24: RHP Josiah Gray (torn UCL) undergoes reconstruction
Gray underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington to address a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament on Wednesday.
“He had a reconstruction,” said manager Dave Martinez. “He’s going to miss time, as we all know, but he’s doing well. He feels good about it.”
Gray went on the injured list on April 9 (retroactive to April 6) because of a right elbow/forearm flexor strain. He progressed to Triple-A on his rehab assignment, but he was shut down after allowing seven runs in three innings on June 30.
“That was probably the toughest thing for me to kind of wrap my head around because I felt like I was oh so close to getting back here in this clubhouse and contributing to wins,” Gray said on July 19. “... You can kind of, like, taste it. But unfortunately, there were other plans behind the scenes, and unfortunately, I hit the hardest setback of all.”
July 23: LHP DJ Herz recalled from Triple-A; RHP Eduardo Salazar optioned to Triple-A
Herz, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was called up from Rochester to make the start on Tuesday against San Diego. He allowed two earned runs with four strikeouts over five innings. The Nats are managing the rookie’s workload.
Salazar appeared in one game out of the Nationals bullpen. He struck out four and did not allow a hit in two innings.
10-day/15-day injured list
1B Joey Gallo (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Gallo took ground balls on July 19 and is “progressing well,” according to manager Dave Martinez. The next step would be running the bases. Gallo was placed on the IL on June 12. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Trevor Williams (right flexor muscle strain)
Expected return: Second half of season
Williams is playing catch up to 75 feet on flat ground. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 4, retroactive to June 1. (Last updated: July 19)
OF Robert Hassell III (right hand injury; No. 9 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Second half of season
Hassell is rehabbing at the Nationals’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., from an injury affecting his right wrist/hand/thumb area. He broke his right hamate bone while playing in the 2022 Arizona Fall League.
"That area hasn't been right since the surgery, so we're going to get him right,” general manager Mike Rizzo said.
Hassell was placed on the 7-day injured list by the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on June 12. (Last updated: July 19)
1B/3B, Yohandy Morales (left thumb injury; No. 4 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
The infield prospect was placed on the 7-day injured list due to a thumb injury on May 21, retroactive to May 20. He was removed from Double-A Harrisburg's game on May 18 after being tagged out while sliding head first into home plate. As of June 26, he was back to throwing and running, and the Nationals planned to reevaluate him in a few weeks. If all goes well, a hitting progression would begin soon after that reevaluation. (Last updated: June 26)
60-day IL
RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: 2025
Gray underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure on July 24 to address a partially torn UCL. The procedure was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington. Gray was placed on the IL on April 9, retroactive to April 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 5 to clear space on the 40-man roster. (Last updated: July 24)
RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery; No. 5 on Nationals Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Second half of season
Cavalli is expected to return to the Nationals’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., this month to get ramped back up in his rehab process. He has not made a rehab start since June 21 because he experienced “dead arm” and then came down with the flu. Cavalli underwent Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023. (Last updated: July 20)
RHP Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Thompson, 26, underwent his second Tommy John surgery on March 1 after previously undergoing the procedure in high school. He was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24. (Last updated: March 24)