Injuries & Moves: Gray increases throwing distance in rehab
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April 30: RHP Josiah Gray increases throwing distance
Gray increased his throwing program to 120 feet in his rehab from a right elbow/forearm flexor strain.
“He’s doing a bunch of mound stuff with towel drills and all that stuff, so we might have him throw just a light bullpen this week and we’ll see how that goes,” said manager Dave Martinez
April 29: OF Victor Robles sent on rehab assignment to Triple-A Rochester
Robles, who has been working back from a left hamstring strain he sustained on April 3, will start for the Red Wings on Tuesday to begin his rehab assignment. Robles will be mostly DHing, though he might get some time in the outfield as well.
"We'll take it as quick but also as long as necessary," manager Dave Martinez said. "Just want to make sure he's completely healthy."
April 27: 1B/DH Joey Gallo placed on 10-day IL; OF Alex Call recalled
Gallo, who is hitting .122 with five doubles, three homers and five RBIs in 23 games, was placed on the injured list with a left shoulder AC sprain. According to manager Dave Martinez, Gallo's shoulder has been ailing him for close to a week; Gallo initially wanted to play through the issue, but after he reported continued soreness after the series opener in Miami, the Nationals decided to place him on the IL so that he could fully recover.
To take Gallo's place on the roster, Call was recalled from Triple-A Rochester, where he was batting .216 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 19 games. Call provides the Nats, who have a largely left-handed-hitting lineup, with another righty bat.
10-day/15-day injured list
OF Victor Robles (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: May
Robles is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester, playing DH and center field.
Robles had returned to full health in Spring Training after back spasms limited him to just 36 games last season. He was poised for a bounce-back season before the hamstring injury, which he sustained on April 3. (Last updated: April 30)
1B/DH Joey Gallo (left shoulder AC sprain)
Expected return: TBD
Washington placed Gallo on the IL on April 27, after he tried to play through the shoulder injury for a week. Gallo injured his shoulder making a diving play. (Last updated: April 30)
RHP Josiah Gray (right elbow/forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: May
Gray is throwing at a distance up to 120 feet. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 6, after an MRI revealed a right elbow/forearm flexor strain before his scheduled April 9 start against the Giants. He is 0-2 with a 14.04 ERA in two starts this season. (Last updated: April 30)
LHP Robert Garcia (influenza)
Expected return: May
Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23, retroactive to April 21. He is throwing live bullpen sessions. He is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. (Last updated: April 30)
RF Lane Thomas (left MCL sprain)
Expected return: May
Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 24, the day after he avoided a tag while stealing second base vs. the Dodgers. He is working on decreasing stiffness and swelling. Thomas has been the Nationals' starting right fielder, and he was batting .184 with 11 stolen bases this season. (Last updated: April 30)
OF Stone Garrett (fractured left fibula)
Expected return: First half of season
Garrett has progressed to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester. He suffered a fractured left fibula last August after crashing into the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium. (Last updated: April 24)
60-day IL
RHP Cade Cavalli (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-2024
Cavalli is progressing and facing live hitters. There is a possibility he will throw his next bullpen session on May 2. The righty and the Nationals are eyeing mid-May for the start of his rehab assignment. While with the team in Miami on April 26, Cavalli said he feels "normal" and that the ball is coming out of his hand the same as prior to his injury. He's hopeful that he will be back in Major League action within the next two months. (Last updated: April 30)
LHP Jose A. Ferrer (teres major strain)
Expected return: First half of season
Ferrer is throwing at 60 feet. Ferrer continues his strength and conditioning and is doing plyometrics and towel drills to emulate his throwing. He experienced discomfort while extending his throwing arm during Spring Training and was placed on the 60-day IL on March 24.(Last updated: April 30)
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)