SEPTEMBER 26 • MLB.COM
No. 8 prospect Cavalli staying positive during 18-month recovery WASHINGTON – Right-hander Cade Cavalli entered Spring Training hoping 2024 would be his comeback season from Tommy John surgery. His return...
Not returning this season Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Cavalli (elbow) will continue to work through his throwing program but won't pitch in games before the end of the season, Andrew G...
Impact The right-hander began the season on the injured list while completing his recovery from Tommy John Surgery in May 2023, but a "dead arm" phase over the summer derailed his rehab assignment. Cavalli will continue to build up his arm over the final weeks of the regular season, but he'll head into 2025 with plenty of uncertainty coming off consecutive lost seasons.
SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE
Throwing bullpen session Cavalli (elbow/arm) will throw a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The bullpen session -- which will feature all fastballs -- will be his first time throwing off a mound since he had to be pulled off his rehab assignment in mid-July due to a "dead arm" phase. Cavalli had made three rehab starts in the lower minors as he works his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. It's going to take a while for him to get ramped back up and it's not clear whether the 26-year-old will have a shot to make it back before the end of the season.
SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Rehabbing in FCL Cavalli (elbow) reported to the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Cavalli was sent to resume his minor-league rehab assignment at High-A Wilmington on July 26 but never appeared in a game for the team. Now, he'll join the Nationals' FCL affiliate. Manager Dave Martinez said that Cavalli will be ramping up his arm in Florida with the hopes of returning to a mound before the end of the season. It's unclear what resulted in the multi-week setback for Cavalli, who was already behind schedule after an illness forced him to halt his rehab assignment in late June. Cavalli shouldn't be expected back for several weeks.
AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE
Resuming rehab assignment Cavalli (elbow/illness) was sent to High-A Wilmington on Thursday to resume his rehab assignment.
Impact Cavalli hasn't pitched in more than a month, as he was pulled off his initial rehab assignment due to the flu. The right-hander is coming back from Tommy John surgery and there's been no indication he had a setback with his elbow, and he's now ready to ramp things back up. Cavalli had pitched well in his first three rehab starts, collecting a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. He'll need some time to get built back up but could be a candidate for the Nationals' rotation within the next month or so.
JULY 26 • ROTOWIRE
Hasn't pitched in weeks Cavalli (elbow), who came down with the flu June 24, has not pitched in a rehab game since June 21.
Impact There was a report from Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports on July 3 that Cavalli's rehab assignment had been shut down, but there has been no specific news about a setback for Cavalli. Still, that's an obvious fear, given how long it has been since the last update from the team. Since it has been almost four weeks since Cavalli last pitched, he will need to re-build back up whenever he is cleared to resume his rehab assignment, so a return to the big-league rotation doesn't seem imminent. He has a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 8.1 innings across three rehab appearances.
JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with illness Cavalli (elbow) is dealing with the flu and will be held back for a few days, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Cavalli started a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington on Friday as he continues to work his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in spring of 2023. In his first rehab start, he tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three batters. The illness isn't a long-term concern for Cavalli and he'll likely be back on the mound in the near future.
JUNE 24 • ROTOWIRE
Whiffs five in second rehab start Cavalli (elbow) gave up two earned runs on no hits and three walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings Thursday in his rehab start with High-A Wilmington.
Impact Cavalli, who is on the mend from March 2023 Tommy John surgery, made the second appearance of his rehab assignment Thursday after previously covering 2.2 scoreless innings in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on May 20. Though he didn't allow a hit Thursday, Cavalli struggled with his control. In addition to issuing three walks, Cavalli spotted 30 of his 54 pitches for strikes, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. He'll look to iron out his control in the subsequent starts during his rehab assignment, which is likely to last until around mid-June.
MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE
Nats' Cade Cavalli, coming back from surgery, is 'on the right track' Cavalli, 25, is throwing three times a week nearly one year removed from Tommy John surgery . He could be back by May.
FEBRUARY 16 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Cade Cavalli takes 'surreal' step in Tommy John recovery This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it...
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • MLB.COM
Cade Cavalli played catch at Nationals Park. It was a huge step on the road back. One of the Nationals’ top prospects, the right-hander, 25, is aiming for a June 2024 return after undergoing elbow surgery in March.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Begins throwing program Cavalli (elbow) played catch Tuesday and said he "felt awesome," Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact It was his first throwing workout of any kind since he underwent Tommy John surgery this past March. Cavalli is targeting next June for a return to live minor-league games and could be an intriguing rotation option for the Nationals in the second half of the 2024 campaign.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Could throw this week Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Cavalli (elbow) could begin a throwing program this week, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Cavalli has been focused on rehabbing and strengthening work since undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in March, but starting a throwing program would represent a major step in his recovery process. If Cavalli is able to play catch before the Nationals close out their regular season, he'll likely gradually increase his throwing distance during the offseason before eventually moving on to mound work. Given the typically timeline for pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery, Cavalli probably won't be available for Grapefruit League action in spring training, but he could face hitters in simulated games before Nationals camp comes to a close. If all continues to go smoothly in his recovery, Cavalli could be ready to make his 2024 big-league debut at some point early next summer.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
On track in recovery Cavalli has begun lifting weights and working on his flexibility as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in March, Damon Brooks Jr. of The Washington Post reports. "I'...
Impact The right-hander only recently regained full range of motion in his arm, and he remains on track to get back on a mound in 2024. The rebuilding Nationals will have little incentive to rush Cavalli back into action, but he figures to join the big-league rotation at some point in the first half next season. The 24-year-old got hit hard in his first career MLB start in August 2022, but he posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 104:39 K:BB through 97 innings for Triple-A Rochester last year and is still viewed as a future pillar of the pitching staff alongside Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore.
AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Lands on 60-day IL The Nationals placed Cavalli on the 60-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow UCL tear, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Cavalli will likely be out until around midseason next year following Tommy John surgery.
MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Analysis | The Nationals' rotation had a mostly bleak week at spring training The worst development, by far, was that Cade Cavalli will miss the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the rest of the group sput...
MARCH 20, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Nationals RHP Cade Cavalli to undergo Tommy John surgery Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli, the team’s top prospect who was expected to join the rotation at some point this season, wil...
MARCH 16, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM
Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John surgery
Washington Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and will miss the 2023 season.MARCH 16, 2023
Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli to get Tommy John The Athletic's Keith Law ranked Cavalli No. 71 on his list of top prospects for 2023.
MARCH 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John surgery
Washington Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and will miss the 2023 seasonMARCH 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Needs Tommy John surgery Cavalli was diagnosed Thursday with a Grade 3 sprain of his right ulnar collateral ligament and will require Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Impact Cavalli injured his elbow during his most recent Grapefruit League outing and an MRI revealed the bad news. The top prospect had been set to open the 2023 campaign in the Nationals' rotation but now figures to be sidelined until around midseason next year. Chad Kuhl appears likely to slide into the rotation spot vacated by Cavalli.
MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Nationals' Cade Cavalli leaves spring training start with elbow issue Cavalli is set to have an MRI exam Wednesday after “feeling something behind his throwing elbow," Manager Dave Martinez said.
MARCH 14, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
MRI coming up Cavalli is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right elbow Wednesday, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports.
Impact This comes after Cavalli felt discomfort in the back of his elbow in the third inning of a Grapefruit League start Tuesday afternoon against the Mets. It's a concerning situation for the 24-year-old right-hander, who ranks a consensus top-100 prospect and might have been in line to open the 2023 season as the No. 5 starter for the Nationals. Even if the MRI shows no structural damage, Cavalli figures to be looking at a lengthy absence from live competition.
MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves start with apparent injury Cavalli was removed from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets with an apparent injury, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports.
Impact Cavalli shook his right arm in discomfort after delivering a 1-1 pitch to Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the third inning. He then departed following a short chat with Nationals manager Dave Martinez and head trainer Paul Lessard. The 24-year-old had been in the running for the final spot in Washington's season-opening starting rotation but now may be facing an extended absence.
MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
In his first spring training start, Cade Cavalli sees 'stuff to build on' “We’re gonna have some growth moments with him but I love the way he goes out and attacks and understands the game,” Manager Dave Martinez s...
MARCH 10, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
