Mike Rizzo gives the Junkies an update on Josiah Gray and the Nats' strong young pitching

Losing ace Josiah Gray for an extended period was not what the Washington Nationals hoped for, especially in April – but part of the reason they are 14-15 as the calendar turns to May, as GM Mike Rizzo says, is that the rest of the rotation is stepping up big.

“I’m never gonna complain that we have too many guys fit for the starting rotation,” Rizzo laughed during his weekly appearance on Wednesday with 106.7 The Fan's The Sports Junkies, which is presented exclusively by our partners at MainStreet Bank — Cheer Local. Bank Local. Put Our Team in Your Office. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. “Mitchell Parker's been great, so I can't see him going anywhere, and those young arms have been great for us.”

When would that be an issue though, as in when could Gray return?

“We need to get Josiah back where he was the first half of last year. He's doing his throwing program, he’ll be climbing on the mound and beginning his progression to return to pitch,” Rizzo said, not giving a firm timeline.
“They'll do a couple of minor-league rehab starts, and we'll get him stretched out to a point where we feel comfortable throwing him back in the big leagues, and then when he'll be back in the big leagues, we'll have to make a pitching decision. Often times, we always talk about we lament what's gonna happen when guys come back, and often that takes care of itself due to injuries or performance and that type of thing. We'll address that when we have to, but I think it really focuses in on the depth that we have in starting pitching. It's something that we haven't had in a long time, where you have four pitchers from your own system that are impacting your big league club, with three or four behind them in the minor leagues. It's good to have that pitching depth, and I love watching those young starters get after it and develop.”

And that includes nominal ace now MacKenzie Gore, who allowed two runs over five innings Tuesday night and had seven strikeouts against one walk.

“Gore’s stuff is just terrific, we just need him to take the next step and go from really good, talented stuff-type of pitcher to lead starter that gets us deep in the games, which is right on the horizon,” Rizzo said. “It's just learning how to put hitters away with less pitches. When I drafted Max Scherzer in ‘06, we had the same conversation. He likes striking out guys, it’s big for his game, but he learned to dispose of hitters in a quicker fashion; his mantra is get three outs within 15 pitches, and that's kind of the mindset that MacKenzie's gotta have. He’s gonna wipe you out, he has wipeout stuff, so it's just part of learning process. He’s on the cusp of being really, really good really, really soon.”