WASHINGTON -- When right-hander Cade Cavalli walked off the mound from his Major League debut on Aug. 26, 2022, at Nationals Park, there was no way to know 1,076 days would pass before he would return.
Injuries, setbacks, rehab assignments and recovery accumulated before Cavalli was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to make his season debut – and second career start – on Wednesday against the Athletics.
“It means a lot,” Cavalli said following the Nationals’ 2-1 walk-off victory. “It’s been a long almost-three years now. It was just great being on that mound again. There’s been a lot of leadup to it. I pictured that day a lot, and I’m just glad it was finally here and that we were able to get a win.”
Cavalli, the Nats' No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, reached the triple digits in velocity as he delivered 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out six, allowed three hits and one walk across 88 pitches. Cavalli’s four-seamer maxed at 100.1 mph and averaged 97.3 mph. He also induced 19 swing-and-misses.
“The kid, he’s got big stuff,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “He was up to 100, fastball had a lot of life to it and some movement as well. The curveball’s got a lot of spin and a lot of depth, and the changeup to lefties was effective.”
Cavalli’s four-seamer averaged 97.3 mph, and it maxed at 100.1 mph against Brent Rooker in the first inning, a 1-2-3 frame.
“We got to two strikes on Rooker and were trying to go fastball-up,” said catcher Riley Adams. “I kind of wanted to let him open up the engine and see what he’s got. It was pretty cool to see. I know after I caught it, I looked up and I was like, ‘OK, there we go. We’re working with some good stuff tonight.”
Cavalli, 26, received a loud standing ovation from a Nationals crowd that has been following his baseball journey since he was selected by the Nats with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 Draft. He expressed gratitude for the fans’ reactions. His teammates expressed their appreciation for his hard work, as well.
“It's freaking awesome,” said long-time friend Jake Irvin, who greeted Cavalli with a hug in the dugout after his start. “The coolest part about all this is that he's been through a lot in the last couple years, and he's maintained the same positive can-do attitude the whole time through it. That just speaks volumes to who he is, how much he loves the game, loves to compete, and is just a high quality person.
“Obviously, getting to play with a college teammate and a great friend of mine is something that means a lot. But more than anything, his journey and what he's done to get back here is the special part.”
Cavalli’s injury woes began shortly after his debut. He was sidelined by right shoulder inflammation before his second start, and he did not pitch again the remainder of the 2022 season.
Cavalli reported to Spring Training ‘23 contending to make the starting rotation. In the midst of a strong camp, he sustained a grade three sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament while pitching against the Mets on March 14.
Always one to look ahead, Cavalli hoped for a 2024 second-half return. The process was met with obstacles. Cavalli made only three appearances last season, limited by the flu and experiencing “dead arm.”
Cavalli was healthy at the end of the season, but did not return because of the point in the calendar. He entered the offseason on a regular throwing plan rather than a rehab program.
Cavalli rejoined the Nationals in Major League Spring Training in February. He began the 2025 season on a rehab assignment and was optioned to Triple-A Rochester upon completion on May 11.
Cavalli went 4-7 with a 5.35 ERA in 17 starts (74 innings) with the Red Wings this season. Cavalli recorded 25 strikeouts in his last four outings (20 1/3 frames), and he did not issue a walk in his last two starts (10 innings).
“There's never a time that he's not working hard,” said Brady House, who played at Triple-A with Cavalli this season. “I'm super excited that he's back up here, and I know that he's excited too.”
Combined with the six strikeouts in his Major League debut, Cavalli became the sixth pitcher in Nationals team history (2005-present) to record 12 or more K's in his first two appearances. He joins Mitchell Parker (12, 2024), Joan Adon (12, ‘21-22), Reynaldo López (13, ‘16), Joe Ross (12, ‘15) and Stephen Strasburg (22, ‘10).
“I felt like I was a little more amped up in the debut,” Cavalli said. “I’ve been visualizing this for three years, and a lot of work’s been put into it. I’m not saying that a lot of work wasn’t put in the debut, but it had [been so long ago], that I almost forgot what it felt like. It was great today.”