WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Three years of perseverance and grit culminated in one of baseball’s most prestigious honors: Cade Cavalli was named the Nationals’ 2026 Opening Day starter on Wednesday.
On March 26, the 27-year-old right-hander will take the mound for the Nats at Wrigley Field against the Cubs as he begins his first full season in the Majors.
“Talk about who you want at the top of your rotation,” said Nationals manager Blake Butera. “From a makeup standpoint, from a human standpoint, from a pitching standpoint, he checks all those boxes.”
Drafted by the Nats 22nd overall in 2020 out of Oklahoma, Cavalli debuted in the Majors just two years later, on Aug. 26, 2022, only to be shut down for the rest of that season with right shoulder inflammation.
Cavalli did not pitch in the big leagues again for 1,076 days as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, making a triumphant return last year on Aug. 6. He completed 10 starts and came into Spring Training in February as a contender for the Opening Day starter spot.
“I’ve been through a lot,” said Cavalli, who logged three hitless frames with one walk and two strikeouts in the Nats’ 3-1 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday in Grapefruit League action. “I think that it just is a testament to doing things right as much as you can every day, making the next best choice. For me, that’s coming in, doing my work, being the same guy, trying to be a great teammate. I love these guys that I get to come to the field with. I respect them a ton, and I go to work for these guys. I’m just grateful for this opportunity.”
Cavalli is showing the potential the Nationals saw six years ago in the Draft. In his first three Grapefruit League starts, Cavalli did not allow an earned run. He held opponents to a .037 batting average and recorded nine strikeouts in nine total innings. On Friday, Cavalli reached 98.6 mph with his fastball against the Astros.
“It goes to one of the most deserving men in this clubhouse,” said Josiah Gray, who was the Nationals’ 2024 Opening Day starter. “The work he’s put in to get back to the level he’s at and then exceed that level, it shows with getting that nod. But also, he’s very humble in the way that he goes about his work. It couldn’t have gone to a better candidate, honestly.”
Cavalli will be the Nationals’ fourth Opening Day starter in as many years. MacKenzie Gore, the club’s 2025 starter, was traded to the Rangers in January. Gray was tabbed in ‘24 and Patrick Corbin started in ‘23 and ‘22.
The Nationals captured the moment on video when Butera told Cavalli the good news. Cavalli thought he was going to the manager’s office for a routine meeting. The conversation was anything but.
Butera told Cavalli how the entire team appreciates his leadership, competitiveness and work ethic. Then he informed Cavalli, “March 26 in Chicago, that’s your game.”
“I’m ready to rock, baby,” Cavalli replied. “Heck yeah. Man, thank you so much. Let’s get it. We’re going to set a tone this year.”
The first person Cavalli called was his wife Maddie -- “She’s been there every step of the way,” he said -- and then he texted his family to share the good news. Cavalli also had the opportunity to address his teammates. He was struck by the positive reaction inside the clubhouse.
“There's nobody more deserving of this opportunity than Cade and what he's done to lead this pitching staff,” Butera said. “The culture they've created as a pitching staff, he’s been a large part of that. Everyone was just so happy for him.”