Cavalli catches up with Nats in Miami following latest rehab outing

MIAMI -- It might have been just a two-inning rehab session, but Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli considers it a significant step in his goal of pitching with the Major League club again.

Cavalli completed the outing on Wednesday at the Nationals’ spring complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.

For Cavalli, ranked as the Nats’ No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the goal seemed daunting at times considering the lengthy delay he has experienced. The 26-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023, and he has not pitched with the Nationals since making his MLB debut on Aug. 26, 2022.

“I’ve been throwing a lot of bullpens so I was ready to see some hitters,” Cavalli said. “I started sequencing and really pitching. It was a good feeling to be back out there.

“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.”

Despite his eagerness to return to the Major League club, Cavalli acknowledges the risks of speeding up the process at this stage of the recovery.

“We don’t want to rush things and get back to the point where we’re hurting,” Cavalli said. “Just going to be a really good buildup and hopefully, everything keeps responding how it is. I know they have a great plan. The staff is unbelievable. And they have it set up to where I can get back fully healthy and ready to go help the club.”

Cavalli is with the Nationals this weekend for their three-game series against the Marlins at loanDepot park. He had his locker in the clubhouse and threw a bullpen session on Friday.

“I haven’t seen these guys in a little bit so it’s awesome being able to hug everybody and get to see them,” Cavalli said. “It’s been fun sitting in the living room watching these guys compete. I get to get up and go to work every day, and know I’m going to meet these guys one day hopefully.”

If Cavalli continues to clear the hurdles, he could rejoin the Nationals after the All-Star break.

“We’re going to continue to build him up,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Everything is going really well.”