Gray (0-1) lasted 4.0 innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks during Thursday's loss to Cincinnati. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Gray got off to a rocky start to the new campaign, getting tagged by Nick Martini for home runs in the second and third innings as part of the abbreviated start. Although Gray dropped his ERA by 1.11 from 2022 to 2023, Thursday's outing paired with an iffy spring makes his 2024 prospects seem bleak. He's tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber next against the Pirates.

Manager Dave Martinez on Sunday named Gray the Nationals' starter for Opening Day against the Reds on March 28, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gray has 12 strikeouts over 7.1 innings during Grapefruit League play but has also allowed six runs and issued five walks. The 26-year-old posted a career-best 3.91 ERA last season, though his 1.46 WHIP and 4.5 BB/9 were less encouraging. Nonetheless, he'll start Opening Day for Washington, with Patrick Corbin set to take the mound in Game 2.

Gray struck out five and walked two over three innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, allowing one run on two hits.

EDGE Analysis

That's now 10 strikeouts in five innings for Gray to begin the spring, and the right-hander fanned Trevor Story and Triston Casas twice each during Saturday's outing. His strikeout rate sagged to 20.5 percent last season, down from 23.7 percent in 2022, so Gray will need to get more swing-and-miss out of his arsenal if he's going to take another step forward in his development. The Nationals are counting on the 26-year-old to be one of the pillars of their rotation, but as yet he hasn't put it all together in the majors, with his career-best 3.91 ERA last year masking a 1.46 WHIP and 4.93 FIP.

Gray gave up two hits over two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

It was an impressive start to the exhibition schedule for Gray, who was facing a New York lineup anchored by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor along with a handful of top prospects like Luisangel Acuna and Drew Gilbert. Gray still needs to demonstrate improved control and command to become a reliable fantasy asset, so the lack of walks Monday might be more important for his 2024 outlook than the Ks.

Gray (8-13) took the loss Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old's only blemish occurred on his seventh pitch when Gunnar Henderson launched a leadoff solo home run. However, Gray didn't receive any run support and was saddled with the loss in what was likely to be his final start of the 2023 campaign. Over his last three outings, the righty has impressed with a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings, but he has a 1-2 record to show for it. In fact, Tuesday marked the seventh time this year that Gray came away with a loss or no-decision despite tossing five-plus innings while surrendering less than two earned runs. He'll close out his third big-league season with an 8-13 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 143:80 K:BB across 159 innings in 30 starts.

Gray (8-12) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over five innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Gray allowed just one run on the afternoon despite allowing the leadoff man to reach in three of his five innings. The right-hander was also gifted with plenty of run support early, helping him cruise to his eighth win of the season and his first since July 22. Gray came into the game having lost each of his last four decisions (spanning seven starts) but he's now allowed three runs or fewer in three consecutive outings.

Gray (7-12) took the loss Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits over 6.1 innings against the Pirates. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander struck out six of the first 10 batters he faced but was victimized twice by long balls, while Washington's offense was getting shut down by Mitch Keller. It was just the second time in Gray's last seven starts that he made it through six frames, while the 10 strikeouts marked his season high. However, he has lost his last four decisions and six of his last seven overall (spanning 11 starts).

Gray is scheduled to return to the Washington rotation for a start Thursday against the Pirates at PNC Park.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander will return to the mound for the first time since Sept. 3 after he found himself as the odd man out of the Nationals' six-man rotation last week, when Washington played five games in a seven-day stretch. Rather than making Gray available out of the bullpen, the Nationals used the pair of off days last week to give the 25-year-old right-hander an extended breather after he had gone 0-3 with a 8.49 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 20:21 K:BB in 23.1 innings over his last six starts. Gray isn't believed to be nursing an injury and should be in store for a normal workload in his return to the rotation Thursday.

Gray did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings against the Marlins. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Gray's struggles continued early Sunday as he allowed three runs in the opening inning, including two on a pair of bases-loaded walks. While the 25-year-old Gray would ultimately blank the Marlins over his final three innings, his ERA is now up to 8.49 over his last five starts. Overall, he's 7-11 with a 4.13 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 122:75 K:BB across 27 starts (141.2 innings) this season. Gray's currently in line to face Pittsburgh in his next outing, though the Nats could elect to give him some extra rest between starts.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez confirmed Thursday that Gray will start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gray yielded four earned runs over just two innings (63 pitches) in his last rotation turn Monday against the Blue Jays, but Martinez said the 25-year-old looked sharp in his between-starts bullpen session Thursday afternoon in Washington. He'll stay on turn for now, though Gray might get a bit of extra rest at certain points down the stretch.