Notes from Camp - Feb. 14

Although he signed with the Nationals just a few days ago, right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas took the mound for a session of live BP on Saturday afternoon at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, facing off against Daylen Lile, Matt Mervis, Andrew Pinckney and Tres Barrera.

“Talking to him after the fact, he was really happy with how it went,” said Manager Blake Butera. “Velocity was really good, where he’s like, ‘This is where it should be at this time in spring’ so everything is kind of lining up well for him.”

Following Mikolas was right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli, who continued to impress the coaching staff and teammates with where he is at this early in Spring Training.

“It’s hard to say anything negative right now,” Butera said. “It’s just, the shape he’s in. I’m sure you’ve noticed he looks really big a strong right now and then the stuff is already better than it’s been, ever, and we’re only in the middle of February.”

Other live BP sessions on Saturday included left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady, right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge, left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez, left-handed pitcher Jake Eder, right-handed pitcher Gus Varland, right-handed pitcher Bryce Montes De Oca, left-handed pitcher Zach Penrod and right-handed pitcher Riley Cornelio.

The pitchers and catchers will soon be (officially) joined by the position players, who officially report and take their physicals on Sunday. As noted previously, a majority of the players have been in West Palm Beach for weeks, but on Monday morning, the full squad of 65 players in Major League Spring Training will officially come together to take the next step in its journey to Opening Day.