In Major League Baseball, major arm injuries are common among pitchers. Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray recently suffered a serious elbow injury.
The Nationals announced Tuesday that Gray was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow and forearm. He was scheduled to start Tuesday's game between Washington and the San Francisco Giants. Right-hander Joan Adon was recalled from Triple-A Rochester and designated as his replacement.
Gray started two games this season, striking out nine batters in 8 1/3 innings, but allowing 15 hits and 13 runs. Last year, he finished with an 8-13 record, a 3.91 ERA, and 143 strikeouts in 159 innings. Gray also allowed 22 home runs and 80 walks in his second full season in the major leagues. He was Washington's only All-Star representative.
The 26-year-old is a top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was a key piece along with catcher Keibert Lewis in the 2021 trade for Max Scherzer and Trey Turner. Gray, who posted a 4.80 ERA in four seasons with the Nationals, will be eligible for arbitration next year.
He joins a list of acclaimed pitchers who have injured their arms this year, including Yankees star Gerrit Cole, Braves' Spencer Strider and Astros' Framber Valdez. Guardians ace Shane Bieber, Red Sox forward Lucas Giolito and Marlins forward Yuri Perez have already had or will need Tommy John reconstructive surgery on their injured elbows.
This prevalence of pitching disorders takes into account many factors, including players throwing harder than they used to and gripping the ball tighter to increase the amount of spin. The MLB Players Association blamed the pitch clock the league introduced last season. But Bieber isn't sure if that should be cited as a cause either.