The Washington Nationals have been without their all-star pitcher Josiah Gray since the second week of April.
Gray landed on the injured list on April 9 with a right elbow/forearm flexor strain. Not the start of the season Gray and the Nationals were looking to have.
But the good thing is that he’s shown signs of improvement. On March 4, he threw his first bullpen since landing on the IL, a step in the right direction for the 26-year-old.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez was pleased to hear about Gray’s bullpen session.
“Good. He felt good,” Martinez said in an article from masn.com. “So the next step, again, will be to throw another one in about three or four days. We’ll see how his recovery is. He says he feels fine. So he’ll throw another one here probably either Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Gray was poised to start the year off strong, especially coming off a 2023 season where he was named an all-star for the first time in his career.
He was named on the Opening-Day starter for Washington this season and did not have the start he envisioned. The Cincinnati Reds put up a total of seven runs in four innings against Gray.
In his next start, the Pittsburgh Pirates got the best of him as he gave up six runs on seven hits. That was his last start before landing on the IL.
After that start against the Pirates, Gray noticed some discomfort in his throwing arm.
When the discomfort did not go away, Gray alerted the staff and went to get an MRI and the team decided to scratch him from his third scheduled start of the season.
“The MRI was a good result,” Gray told mlb.com. “Everything was intact — the UCL was intact, all the other forearm muscles were intact. … Overall, a positive outlook.”
“It’s sort of a dull linger on the muscle, on the pronator flexor mass muscle,” he said. “[It’s] sort of a common thing for pitchers. The training staff is going to take care of it and take care of me.”
The Nationals want to make sure that Gray is 100 percent before he goes back out there on that mound.
Throughout his career, Gray has been injury free up to this point.
“It sucks,” Gray said of the injury. “Ever since I joined the Nationals, I made every single start that I was scheduled to make and I prided myself on doing that. So, obviously, it’s a little bit of a gut punch to come to the ballpark and not be slated in the five-man rotation for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a harsh reality of what we do as pitchers, especially in today’s game. Injury risk is going up. It definitely gives you a sense of reality in what we do. Unfortunately, I have to miss some time, but I don’t think it’s going to change anything I really do. Obviously devote some more time to recovery and stuff like that. But I’m going to turn a corner from this and come back strong.”
Once Gray makes his return, he will look to make an impact and have a different result from his first two outings of the season.
Ever feel like you are Marty McFly, and you just came back from the future with the Sports Almanac? Well, in this case, that’s me.
As we wait with bated breath for another one-of-a-kind season of Major League Baseball, we look forward to performances of some of the game’s most promising bros on the bump.
This year’s roster of talent is nothing short of spectacular, with each hurler set to make an impact for their squad. Let’s “brodict” their performances and see where they will stand statistically by the end of the year.
Marcus “Stro Show” Stroman, this Yankee, known for his impressive tool kit of pitches and competitive spirit, is expected to continue his consistent performance on the mound. Stroman’s ability to induce ground balls and keep hitters off balance will help him maintain an ERA in the low 3s with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Josiah “Sway” Gray is set to showcase his talent and potential this season, after putting up ace-like numbers in 2023. With his dynamic arsenal of pitches and deceptive delivery, Gray could emerge as a consistent starter for the Nationals with an ERA in the mid-3s and over 150 strikeouts.
Hunter Greene Machine, heralded for his blazing fastball and electric stuff, is looking to make a splash in his debut season with the Reds. While he may experience some growing pains as he adjusts to the rigors of the big leagues, Greene’s raw talent suggests the potential for an ERA in the high 3s to low 4s with flashes of brilliance on the mound. Expect close to 170 strikeouts if he stays healthy.
Devin “Airbender” Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, is expected to build upon his stellar performance from last season. Arguably the best closer in the game, Williams has a devastating changeup and impeccable command. This Brewer’s closer could maintain an ERA below 2.00 for the third straight year. He will continue to rack up strikeouts and likely record over 30 saves.
Taijuan “Fly Tai” Walker, known for his calm demeanor and resilience on the mound, is ready to make an impact in his second season with the Phillies. Walker’s ability to mix pitches and keep hitters guessing is in his DNA. Expect him to post an ERA in the mid-3s while providing valuable innings and stability to the starting rotation.
Black Jack Flaherty, seen as one of the premier young bros in the game, is expected to bounce back from a challenging season in 2023. Flaherty’s specialties are his electric fastball and devastating slider. He could return to his All-Star caliber form in Detroit this year, with an ERA in the mid 3s and a high strikeout rate.
While these predictions offer insight into what fans can expect from these talented Bro pitchers, it is important to remember that baseball is unpredictable – just like Marty’s adventures back to 1985, and any number of unknowns can influence a player’s performance throughout the season. From injuries to adjustments made by opposing hitters, the journey of a baseball season is full of twists and turns.
As the new season unfolds, baseball fans will eagerly watch as these melanated mound marauders, each hoping to leave their mark on the game and contribute to their team’s success. With talent, determination, and a bit of luck, these pitchers have the potential to make this season one to remember for MLB fans everywhere.
It’s always a blessing to the MLBbro.com family when one of the players who we have covered from the beginning of his MLBbro anointment gets his first All-Star appearance. Particularly, a Melanated Mound Marauder.
We were ecstatic for Devin “Airbender” Williams when he got his first nod in 2022. We looked forward to Hunter Greene and Triston “Dr Sticks” McKenzie breaking out and being a part of the festivities, but injuries have derailed their Midsummer’s Classic dream for at least one more season.
We covered Josiah “Sway” Gray’s first start when he made his debut as the top pitching prospect in the LA Dodgers’ organization, with a real shot of breaking into the rotation.
Since then, he’s been a consistent member of our weekly #HIGHFIVE lists, featuring the top Black and brown MLBbros.
Manager Dave Martinez announced Gray’s All-Star selection in the locker room in front of his teammates.
According to reports, Gray was very emotional and had to take time to gain his composure before briefly addressing his team, who embraced him with “hugs and handshakes” according to mlb.com.
“I kind of just stopped in my tracks. I didn’t think it would be my name,” Gray said. “You dream of playing baseball at this level for years and years as a kid. Being an All-Star is kind of the cherry on top.”
The Youth of MLB Nation Take Over
As one of 26 first-time All-Stars this year, Gray — acquired by the Nationals as one of the cornerstone pieces in the 2021 trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers — is reflective of the changing of the guard that MLB is experiencing.
With the retirement of Albert Pujols and with Miguel Cabrera and Andrew McCutchen and Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander already well into the twilight of their careers and closer to the end, the faces of the game are changing.
Even Bryce Harper and Mike Trout have company in the popularity department, and they have been the faces of MLB for the past decade.
New blood like Josiah Gray is on the scene.
American League Has 0 Bro Pitchers
While the American League failed to select any MLBbro pitchers for its staff, Gray will be joined on the NL staff by Chicago Cubs veteran ace Marcus Stroman and Milwaukee Brewers elite closer Williams.
Being traded to the rebuilding Nats and its band of Bros was the best thing that ever happened to Gray. He didn’t have the pressure of performing immediately that he would have had with the Dodgers who are contending for a World Series ring every season.
He showed flashes of immense potential in his first season, but struggled a ton at times, posting a 5.02 ERA over 28 starts last season while allowing an MLB-high 38 home runs over 148 2/3 innings.
But in between those rough starts, Gray tossed some gems and showed ace possibilities when he toted the mound. He used that first season as a launching pad to great things. He made some adjustments, stopped relying on his four-seamer so much, and through 17 starts this season, Gray has a 3.30 ERA and he’s allowed just 12 homers over 95 1/3 innings.
He’s the unquestioned ace of the Washington Nationals staff and will continue to grow as his team’s talented nucleus and budding minor league prospects mature.
Josiah Gray Looking Forward To Being Around Legends At MLB All-Star Week
It still hasn’t hit Jo Gray that he’s now among baseball’s elite at his craft and he needs to start acting like it because as much as he is in awe of the greats, there’s a growing legion of young fans who look at the guy we call ‘Sway’ Gray, in the same way.
“It’s going to be so cool just to see all the guys there,” Gray said. “Just to meet maybe like Aaron Judge or getting to shake hands with Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani. I’ve faced them a few times, but just to see them up close and personal, and kind of be on the same level, will be really cool.”
It will also be cool when he steps on the mound in Seattle and makes some history of his own, while continuing the tradition of melanated mound marauders who have risen to the top of the game.
Josiah “Sway” Gray reigns supreme atop the #HighFive List for consecutive weeks after shutting down one of the Nationals League’s best teams on the way to his second win of the year.
He ended the month of April with the 10th lowest ERA in the National League and put an exclamation point on things during his final start against the Pirates this past Sunday.
Gray got the win after pitching six innings of one run ball while striking out six and giving up only three hits. Gray went five plus innings in each of his six starts this month and he gave up one or less runs in four of them.
He also has given up only one home run in five games, which is a sign in the right direction after he led the Majors in long balls given up last year. Gray’s next start will come Friday night in Arizona against the D-Backs.
2. Lamonte Wade Jr.
“Late Night” Lamonte Wade joined the home run fiesta over the weekend when his Giants took on the Padres in Major League Baseball’s Mexico City Series.
Wade had homers in both games and has his average sitting at .348 in his last seven games. He also has a .500 on base percentage and an OPS of 1.000. Wade Jr. sees most of his playing time against righties and is slowly becoming one of the more underrated players in baseball.
Through the first month of the season, he walked just as much as he struck out (19 times) while also hitting six home runs. His Giants return to The Bay this weekend for a three-game set against the Brewers.
3. Mookie Betts
“Wherever you put this brother on the field, he will get the job done.”
MLBbro.com’s Kevin Moore said it best about Betts, who showed once again there is nothing on a baseball diamond he can’t do.
Betts started at shortstop for the Dodgers Monday night and had his best game this season. He played solid defense and finished 3-for-5 with a home run, double and three RBI in what ended up as a 13-4 win for L.A. Betts is hitting .357 with eight RBI, a .438 on base percentage and five runs scored in his last seven games.
Betts will have the honor of wearing the on-field mic during the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.
4. Marcus “Stro Show” Stroman
Marcus Stroman celebrated his 32nd birthday in style by bouncing back from his worst start of the year and throwing two gems in one week.
He combined to throw 12.1 innings and gave up a total of three runs while striking out eight. Stroman now has the 11th lowest ERA in the Majors among starters and he leads all of baseball with six quality starts this season. He will get to enjoy another weekend of celebrating 32 years of life before taking on the struggling Cardinals at Wrigley Field on Monday.
A visit from MLBbro.com has a resurgent Willie Calhoun playing out of his mind over the last week.
“There is no doubt in my mind Willie Calhoun can bang,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters during a recent road trip to Dallas to take on his former Rangers team.
With MVP Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton currently on the Injured List, Calhoun has stepped up big time, especially over his last seven games where he is batting .318 with two homers, both of which coming in back-to-back days against the Guardians.
We told y'all #MLBbro Willie Calhoun had a new attitude and was ready to contribute with Bro Bombers Aaron Judge & Giancarlo Stanton sidelined.
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