WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- There is more than just the actual pitching that Josiah Gray has missed during his comeback from Tommy John surgery. A first-inning pickoff play during the Nationals' 3-0 win over the Yankees Saturday night at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches sparked his adrenaline.
“I think it’s the little things of baseball that really make it worthwhile,” Gray said. “Picking guys off, getting outs however you can, it goes a long way.”
Gray retired the first two batters of the evening, then issued a walk to Yankees top prospect (No. 32 overall, per MLB Pipeline) George Lombard Jr.
When Lombard, who stole 35 bases in the Minor Leagues last season, took a lead, Gray fired a pickoff to Luis García Jr. García, getting in reps at first base, caught Lombard in a rundown at second base with shortstop CJ Abrams.
“Pregame, [catcher Drew] Millas and I were talking about if we get a guy on, setting them up to where we can pick them off,” Gray said. “He called it in the PitchCom, he led the charge there and it worked. It was really efficient. That was all Millas.”
The Nationals have emphasized controlling the running game in Spring Training. Manager Blake Butera was happy to see Gray put it in action.
“When we talk about what do you want to see out of Josiah, and I keep saying, just being on the mound, pitching in games,” Butera said. “That’s the stuff that, as he’s building up and working back from injury, all of it’s done in a bullpen, in a controlled environment. Facing hitters, holding runners on, getting over, covering bases, all that stuff, it’s going to become more natural as he does it.”
Gray, 28, is poised to return this season after missing nearly two years because of Tommy John. He last appeared in a regular-season Major League game on April 4, 2024.
“Even backing up third when [Spencer] Jones tagged up, I had to remind myself, ‘Hey, back up third base,’” Gray said. “… Those little things, you have to remind yourself that you’re still in the game -- it’s not just pitching, which I focused on for the last 18-plus months.”
Gray, who made his Grapefruit League debut on Monday, delivered three scoreless innings against the Yankees. He recorded two strikeouts and allowed one hit and one walk.
Gray improved his efficiency between Spring Training starts. He needed only 32 pitches to complete three frames on Saturday, compared to 39 pitches in 1 2/3 innings in his debut outing. Gray caught Jasson Domínguez swinging at a 79.7 mph curveball to finish his night.
“[Pitching coach] Simon [Mathews] and the staff are just harping on being a little bit more efficient,” Gray said. “I think there are times myself, other guys, you get two quick outs. Then you look up, you walk a guy and the inning sort of snowballs from you. So for me, it’s staying on the gas.”
The goal by the end of Spring Training is for Gray to build up to five innings. Maintaining Gray’s health remains the top priority for the Nationals each time he’s on the mound.
“He’s very diligent with his work and very focused on what he’s trying to accomplish,” Butera said. “I’m just happy to see him back out there.”