Cavalli's Injury Scare Turns Out to Be Minor
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli left Saturday's start after being struck on the right leg by a comebacker, but X-rays came back negative. The team described the issue as right calf discomfort, and Cavalli called it a charley horse. He is considered day-to-day and may not miss his next turn in the rotation.
Cavalli was in the middle of a dominant outing when the injury occurred, having struck out eight batters through 3⅔ hitless innings before Javier Sanoja's comebacker struck his leg. The team's decision to remove him stemmed from concerns that compensating for the discomfort could lead to an upper-body injury, particularly given the torque involved in his pitching delivery. His 152⅔ innings this season already represent a significant milestone, surpassing his previous career high of 123⅓ innings set in 2021, and he has posted a 1.83 ERA across nine second-half starts with 67 strikeouts.
This injury update carries weight for Nationals fans and the broader baseball community, as Cavalli's emergence represents a bright spot in a rebuilding franchise. A serious injury could have disrupted his breakout season and raised questions about his durability, which has been a concern given his limited major league innings. The day-to-day designation may ease those worries, potentially allowing him to finish the year strong and cement his status as a frontline starter heading into 2026.