Gray notches 1st career save in emotional return to Nationals Park mound

WASHINGTON – The home crowd rose to their feet to welcome Josiah Gray back to the mound at Nationals Park for the first time since April 4, 2024. That year, Gray was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter.

On Friday – after missing three years due to injuries – he was pitching the ninth inning out of the bullpen. The fans let him know they had not forgotten about them. Gray reciprocated with an emotional first career save.

“Everyone knows it's been a long road, but to get embraced in my first outing back here in Nats Park, it means so much,” Gray said. “I can't thank the fans enough because I really think that kept me going out there, just to keep the eye on the prize. … The fans definitely helped me out there, and I really appreciate it.”

Gray made his first two starts of the 2024 season and underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure on July 24 of that year. During his comeback this Spring Training, he suffered a flexor strain. His avenue to get back before the end of the season: as a reliever.

Gray made his long-awaited 2026 debut last Friday in St. Louis. He pitched again in Detroit on Monday. Gray was scoreless in both outings in opposing territory. On Friday, he was enveloped in positive enthusiasm.

“I think when you're in rehab for so long, as I was, you kind of feel on the outskirts,” Gray said. “... It means so much that you try to put words to it, but deep down, it's a feeling that you can't put words to it.”

The Nats’ bullpen was thin when they took a one-run lead into the ninth inning. They gave the ball to Gray to face the Mets’ No. 9 hitter and then the top of the order. Just a casual matchup against Francisco Lindor and old friend Juan Soto.

Gray got Christopher Morel to fly out to shortstop for the first out. He dealt three consecutive pitches slower than 84 mph to Lindor – all for swinging strikes.

Catcher Keibert Ruiz made a mound visit so the pair could strategize like they had so many times before. Gray walked Soto on a 3-1 count.

Next up: Bo Bichette. Gray got ahead 1-2. The crowd once again stood up captivated. Bichette softly grounded the ball to Gray, who cleanly fielded it and threw to first for the final out of the Nats’ 7-6 victory. Gray is the 16th Nationals player to earn a save this season, the second-most by a team in a season since saves became officially recorded in 1969.

The usually calm and collected Gray exclaimed in excitement as celebratory fireworks were set off. The three outs represented three years of hard work, setbacks and perseverance.

“[As a starting pitcher], I try to keep it reserved as much as possible,” Gray said. “But it’s building up. To get that third out, just to let the emotion out, I think was for me a sign of what tonight meant, but also what the past years have meant. To do it here at Nats Park and get a save is something that I never imagined, and I'm blessed to be in the position I’m in.”

The fans outside of the ballpark play just as big a role in making Gray feel supported. On his first off-day back from the injured list on Thursday, Gray visited the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, where he has maintained his role as player ambassador. Gray took part in snack time, homework time, the Academy’s Thursday farmer’s market and on-field play.

“It just shows the type of person he is,” said manager Blake Butera. “When you get that type of ovation when you come into the game, obviously it says a lot about what you've done on the mound. But also, there's more to it than that. I think the fans appreciate good players and also good people, and that's what JoJo is.”