WASHINGTON -- Trevor Williams was activated from the 60-day injury list Wednesday after recovering from a right elbow sprain that kept him out for more than a year.
The right-hander pitched in his first game since July 2, 2025, retiring all four batters he faced in a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays.
"That was awesome,” said manager Blake Butera. “He kept us in the game. Obviously, [it's] been a long road for him to get back to this point. One, to just get on the mound feeling healthy is one thing, but two, to have the success that he had today was huge, and hopefully gives him some confidence that he's back and he's as good as he was before and he's able to pitch and help us win."
Williams underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in July 2025 and made six starts in the Minor Leagues this season, going 0-1 with a 6.46 ERA in 15 1/3 innings, with 18 strikeouts and four walks. In his return on Wednesday, he struck out Alejandro Kirk to end the eighth inning before recording a 1-2-3 ninth.
"I am super thankful,” Williams said after the game. “Unfortunately, we didn’t win the game today, but I am happy I was able to contribute finally. I can't wait to get back out there again."
Right-hander Gus Varland was optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Williams, who said he was “fired up” to return to a team in postseason contention this late in the season.
“It's been a pleasure to watch this team, as a fan and a teammate, from the bench this year,” Williams said. “I’m really proud of the guys for the way they've been holding each other accountable this year and playing up to the level we know we are. It's been fun to watch. I'm excited I can contribute in any way."
The Nationals (55-54) are well into the NL Wild Card race, sitting just two games back of the D-backs and Phillies for the final playoff spot.
During Williams’ work to get back, he sought out several teammates and members of the medical staff to assist in his rehab mentally and physically, especially pitchers who have gone through similar elbow procedures.
"I was able to lean on a lot of guys that have gone through it before,” Williams said. "You can self-loathe and you can say, ‘This sucks,’ or you can do the required work and know you can get back out here.
"Immediately when it happened, Jake Irvin was sitting next to me, so he's a guy I got to lean on. Cade Cavalli -- it's really unfortunate a lot of guys have gone through it. Sean Doolittle was another one, too, that we were able to lean on."
In 2025, Williams struggled to a 3-10 record with a 6.21 ERA in 17 starts, his highest ERA since 2020 with the Pirates. Now, in 2026, Williams rehabbed as he watched his team excel with guys buying into different roles.
"It's been so fun,” Williams said. “There are times I'm screaming in my hotel room on a rehab assignment watching games [when] something exciting happens. It's been a blast. I'm so proud of the guys. To be a small part of it, I'm really excited to be able to do that. A lot of guys have been able to step into spots [that might be] their first role out of the bullpen, and guys mature over the course of the season."
The Nationals will bring Williams out of the bullpen, just as they did for his impressive 2026 debut.
The time off also helped Williams to refocus on his mechanics and confirm everything he was doing was helping, and not hurting, his pitching.
"When you have the injury, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'How did this injury happen?'" Williams said. “It could be multiple things. You have the time to address certain things and work on certain things. The first part of rehab is making sure everything is still attached and your arm still works, and after that, then you can start really hammering in on what we need to refine. It's been great, so far, the last few months getting to step in the bullpen and kind of fine-tune some things."
“I'm excited. It's a brand new elbow. We are ready to rock."