The Washington Nationals’ highly touted right-handed pitcher, Cade Cavalli, has taken another major step in his comeback journey, officially being placed on a Major League rehab assignment. Tonight, Cavalli will start for the Fredericksburg Nationals as they take on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a significant milestone for both the pitcher and the organization.

Cavalli, the Nationals’ 2020 first-round pick and one of their top pitching prospects, has been sidelined since March 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The recovery has been lengthy and at times challenging, including setbacks like a “dead arm” phase and illness that delayed his return to the mound. Despite the hurdles, Cavalli has remained focused and determined, working his way back through bullpen sessions, simulated games, and minor league outings.

In his recent rehab appearances, Cavalli has shown promising signs. He threw two innings in a Florida Complex League game, where his fastball velocity sat in the 94-97 mph range—an encouraging indicator of his arm strength post-surgery. He followed that with outings at higher minor league levels, including a start for High-A Wilmington, where he struck out five over 2 2/3 innings, albeit with some command issues as he issued three walks and threw two wild pitches.

Cavalli himself has expressed excitement about returning to competitive action, emphasizing how the process now feels less like rehab and more like a normal build-up to pitching at the highest level. “I don’t even feel like I’m on rehab anymore. It feels like back to normal, let’s build up and get going. It’s awesome to be in this spot,” Cavalli noted after a recent outing.

Tonight’s assignment with the Fredericksburg Nationals marks Cavalli’s next test. The Nationals’ front office and coaching staff have reiterated the importance of not rushing his return, focusing on a gradual build-up to ensure long-term health and effectiveness. The plan seems for Cavalli to accumulate innings and regain his command and feel for pitching against live hitters, with the ultimate goal of rejoining the Nationals’ rotation after the All-Star break.

When healthy, Cavalli boasts one of the best fastballs in the Nationals’ system, with a mid-90s velocity and a plus curveball. While his slider and changeup are still developing, his raw stuff and competitiveness have always stood out[5]. The key for Cavalli will be refining his command and ensuring his mechanics put less stress on his surgically repaired elbow[4].

Cavalli’s start tonight is more than just a rehab outing—it’s a symbol of hope for a Nationals pitching staff eager for reinforcements. If he continues to progress and avoids setbacks, Cavalli could be a significant addition to Washington’s rotation in the second half of the season, bringing upside and excitement to the club’s future.

Nationals fans and player development watchers alike will be tuned in as Cavalli takes the mound tonight, eager to see the next chapter in his comeback story unfold.