Josiah Gray shut down after feeling elbow discomfort in last rehab start, will have another MRI

Josiah Gray has once again been shut down as he works his way back from a right flexor strain due to continued discomfort and fatigue, and will have another MRI ‘likely during the All-Star break.’

Gray reported that he felt elbow discomfort and ‘more fatigued than normal’ during Sunday’s rehab start for Triple-A Rochester, according to reports, with manager Davey Martinez noting Tuesday afternoon that it might be a couple weeks before we know Gray’s future.

“It’s a little bit concerning. He threw the ball well a couple outings, but last outing, he felt fatigued and just couldn’t recover,” Martinez said. “He’s going to get an MRI, get an opinion from Dr. Meister, and see where we’re at. He’s shut down for now, and not going to get that MRI probably until the All-Star break, so it’s just a waiting game now.”

Gray compared it to what he felt initially when diagnosed with the flexor strain in April, and he removed himself from his rehab start Sunday after giving up seven runs in three innings.

“We got him ramped up, but last outing, the velo wasn’t there; he said he felt tired and felt like he had nothing there,” Martinez said. “We’ll wait and see what happens.”

The 26-year-old righty made two starts before going on the I.L., and given the timeline of the shutdown, any significant setback could be a potential season-ender for Gray.

“I am not disappointed because he did everything he could; it’s part of this game, it’s just unfortunate,” Martinez said. “I feel bad that we had a setback, but hopefully everything works out well.”