This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Struggles with command in loss
Rotowire
Cavalli (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
Cavalli managed to work around early trouble in the first inning when he stranded two runners on base, but things unraveled quickly in the second. The right-hander allowed six straight baserunners, including three walks, as Pittsburgh pushed across four runs and forced his exit, making Monday the shortest start of his young career. The outing highlighted an issue that has followed Cavalli early this season -- traffic on the bases -- as he's managed to retire the side in order just three times through 16 innings. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and a 13:12 K:BB heading into his next scheduled start against San Francisco, a lineup that has had trouble generating consistent offense so far.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Early exit in no-decision
Rotowire
Cavalli didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in a 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals. He struck out three.
The right-hander was able to limit the damage over his 94 pitches (53 strikes), but it was another inefficient performance from Cavalli. He's lasted five innings only once in his first three starts this season, and while Cavalli does sport a 2.51 ERA through 14.1 innings, his 1.47 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB are far less appealing for fantasy GMs. Cavalli will try to secure his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Doesn't factor in decision
Rotowire
Cavalli did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings.
Cavalli recorded his first quality start of the season after a rocky Opening Day effort against the Cubs where he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks across 3.2 frames. Cavalli made 10 starts last season, posting a 4.25 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings by allowing three earned runs on eight and five walks. His 8:5 K:BB, as well as the fact that he's hit two batters and tossed a wild pitch through 9.2 innings, suggest command and control could be an issue for Cavalli.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Goes 3.2 innings in opener
Rotowire
Cavalli did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out five.
Making his first Opening Day start, Cavalli was limited to 75 pitches Thursday in an eventual 10-4 Nationals victory. The 27-year-old Cavalli made 10 starts last season, posting a 4.25 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings as he pitched in the big leagues for the first time since 2022. He's currently slated to face the Phillies on the road his next time out.
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Blanks Mets in final tuneup
Rotowire
Cavalli allowed three hits over five scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out one without walking a batter.
The right-hander was facing a lineup that featured only one likely Opening Day starter in rookie Carson Benge, but Cavalli didn't play down to his competition in his final start of the spring. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 47 of 71 pitches for strikes and topped out at 97.4 mph before losing a bit of steam in his final inning of work. Cavalli will take the mound for the Nationals on Opening Day against the Cubs as he looks to finally break through after being the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
The Nationals announced Wednesday that Cavalli will start the team's March 26 season opener versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Injuries forced Cavalli to wait nearly three years in between major-league appearances, but he showed promise in his 10 starts with the Nationals in 2025 with a 4.25 ERA and 40:15 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The 27-year-old sported better velocity last season than he showed prior to Tommy John surgery and has some breakout potential in 2026.
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Dominant in Friday's start
Rotowire
Cavalli allowed one unearned run on one hit over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The 27-year-old right-hander carved up a top-heavy Houston lineup that featured Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez, flashing a fastball that topped out at 98.6 mph. Cavalli has never been able to capitalize on the upside that made him a first-round pick in 2020, largely due to injuries, but he's on track to be the Opening Day starter for the rebuilding Nationals this season. Over 10 starts and 48.2 innings in 2025, Cavalli managed a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB.
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Inks one-year deal with club option
Rotowire
Cavalli agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday that includes a club option for 2027, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
The two sides were unable to come to an agreement ahead of last week's arbitration deadline, but they continued to negotiate and came to terms on what could end up being a multi-year pact. The exact salary figure has yet to be reported, but it seems likely to fall between $825,000 and $900,000, which were the arbitration figures submitted by the two camps. Cavalli made 10 starts for the Nationals in 2025 and posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Chased early in no-decision
Rotowire
Cavalli did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-9 loss to the White Sox, allowing six runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over four innings.
Cavalli was tagged for four runs in the first inning, though the Nationals made errors on the first two batters he faced. It was the first time the 27-year-old failed to complete five frames since Aug. 27, but he'll finish the campaign holding opponents to three earned runs or fewer in five straight outings. For the season, he posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 major-league innings.
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Sharp again in no-decision
Rotowire
Cavalli came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Mets, allowing five hits and a walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander continues to provide effective innings in September. Cavalli has gone exactly five frames in four straight starts and hasn't served up a homer on the month, posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB through 20 innings. The 27-year-old will look to keep building his case for a spot in the 2026 rotation in his final outing of the current campaign, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the White Sox.
0:39
1:42
9:27
0:41
12:52
1:35
0:40
1:44
8:20
0:31
0:43
1:28
1:20
1:31
1:54
0:25
0:40
1:01
10:24
1:08
