Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gray will have his turn in the rotation skipped this week as the Nationals aim to manage his innings load, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gray had been lined up to start this weekend against the Reds, but the Nationals will instead call up prospect Cade Cavalli from Triple-A Rochester to fill his spot in what's shaping up to be a six-man rotation for Washington. Though Martinez noted that Gray won't be shut down after having accumulated 123.1 innings through his 23 starts this season, the right-hander won't necessarily make every turn through the rotation over the final six weeks of the campaign. Dougherty speculates that the soonest Gray will make his next start will come during the three-game series against the Mets that begins Sept. 2.

Gray has already set a new career high in innings pitched this season, and the Nationals are keeping a close eye on his workload and in-game mechanics, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "We're looking at kind of the wear and tear, how he reacts in-game, a lot of mechanics -- is he using his lower half ... is he flying open?" manager Dave Martinez said Saturday night. "We'll keep an eye on a lot of stuff."

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander is fourth in the league in innings pitched by a second-year starter behind Alek Manoah, Shane McClanahan and Logan Gilbert, but Gray also tossed far fewer innings in 2021 than any of that trio. With Erick Fedde (shoulder) expected to return from the IL this week and the Nats having a few scheduled off days over the next couple weeks, they will have opportunities to skip Gray in the rotation if they feel he needs extra rest. The 24-year-old has a 4.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 123.1 innings on the season, with a strong 10.2 K/9 balanced by a rough 2.3 HR/9.

Gray didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 2-1 loss to San Diego, allowing one run on four hits and five walks with three strikeouts in five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Gray put runners on in every frame and could have fared far worse had he not escaped bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings. The 24-year-old was able to find the zone with only 55 of his 102 pitches while the five free passes mark his highest total of the season, and he's issued multiple walks in six of his last seven turns. Gray's 3.9 BB/9 rank second worst among 59 qualified starters, though his 1.31 WHIP is decent thanks to a 13th ranked .256 BABIP. He carries a 4.67 ERA into his next start, scheduled for next weekend against Cincinnati.

Gray did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-4 win over the Cubs. He struck out 10.

EDGE Analysis

Ian Happ took him deep twice, but otherwise it was a strong outing for Gray, as he tossed 105 pitches (67 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start and eighth of the season. Long balls remain the right-hander's Achilles' heel, however -- he's served up at least one homer in nine straight starts and has a 5.94 ERA over that stretch thanks to a 3.1 HR/9, despite a 1.34 WHIP and 11.5 K/9.

Gray didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Cubs, allowing two runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander took a shutout into the seventh inning before fading, but the Nationals' bullpen simply made things worse after Gray exited the game. He had to settle for his seventh quality start of the season and first since July 6, but he still got taken deep once again -- his eighth straight outing in which he's served up at least one home run. Gray's 6.14 ERA over that stretch hides an otherwise impressive 54:14 K:BB through 44 innings, but until he learns to keep the ball in the yard, he'll be a volatile fantasy option.

Gray (7-8) took the loss Friday as the Nationals were downed 7-2 by the Phillies, surrendering six runs on five hits -- including four home runs -- and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Three of the long balls came in the first inning before J.T. Realmuto capped the barrage in the third with a two-run shot. Gray got the hook after 79 pitches (46 strikes) having served up multiple homers for the fourth time in his last five trips to the mound, a gruesome stretch in which he's compiled a 7.20 ERA and 1.44 WHIP despite a superficially successful 34:11 K:BB through 25 innings. Gray now has a 2.4 HR/9 for his big-league career, and the 24-year-old will never come close to reaching his full potential without first solving his homer woes.

Gray (7-7) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Gray allowed just one run through three frames before he served up a three-run shot to Corey Dickerson in the fourth. The 24-year-old righty posted an unsightly 6.75 ERA with a 36:10 K:BB through five starts in July. Gray is now sporting a 4.59 ERA across 102 innings this season. He's lined up to start in Philadelphia next week.

Gray didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 8-3 victory over the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Gray settled down after surrendering a leadoff home run to Mookie Betts to prevent Los Angeles from scoring over the next three frames, however, he faltered in the fifth when two more runs scored on three hits. The 24-year-old continues to miss bats with 14 swinging strikes on 94 pitches and has now struck out 30 batters in 22.2 innings across four starts this month, though he's also permitted 16 runs during the stretch. Gray carries a 4.45 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 112 strikeouts in 97 innings into his next start, scheduled for next week against the Mets.

Gray (7-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, surrendering five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings as the Nationals fell 6-4. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander tossed only 57 of 97 pitches for strikes before exiting, and all five of the runs off him came via homer -- a three-run blast by Eugenio Suarez in the first inning, and a pair of solo shots by Jesse Winker and Adam Frazier in the fourth. Gray has been tagged for seven homers over his last four starts and 21 in 92 innings on the season, leading to a 4.40 ERA despite an otherwise palatable 1.27 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB.

Gray won't start as scheduled Tuesday versus the Mariners since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

EDGE Analysis

The contest will be made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, and Gray should start one of those games. The postponement likely means it will be his final appearance prior to the All-Star break.