Cavalli allowed three hits over five scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out one without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was facing a lineup that featured only one likely Opening Day starter in rookie Carson Benge, but Cavalli didn't play down to his competition in his final start of the spring. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 47 of 71 pitches for strikes and topped out at 97.4 mph before losing a bit of steam in his final inning of work. Cavalli will take the mound for the Nationals on Opening Day against the Cubs as he looks to finally break through after being the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Cavalli will start the team's March 26 season opener versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

EDGE Analysis

Injuries forced Cavalli to wait nearly three years in between major-league appearances, but he showed promise in his 10 starts with the Nationals in 2025 with a 4.25 ERA and 40:15 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The 27-year-old sported better velocity last season than he showed prior to Tommy John surgery and has some breakout potential in 2026.

Cavalli allowed one unearned run on one hit over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out six without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old right-hander carved up a top-heavy Houston lineup that featured Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez, flashing a fastball that topped out at 98.6 mph. Cavalli has never been able to capitalize on the upside that made him a first-round pick in 2020, largely due to injuries, but he's on track to be the Opening Day starter for the rebuilding Nationals this season. Over 10 starts and 48.2 innings in 2025, Cavalli managed a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB.

Cavalli agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday that includes a club option for 2027, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The two sides were unable to come to an agreement ahead of last week's arbitration deadline, but they continued to negotiate and came to terms on what could end up being a multi-year pact. The exact salary figure has yet to be reported, but it seems likely to be between $825,000 and $900,000, which were the arbitration figures submitted by the two camps. Cavalli made 10 starts for the Nationals in 2025 and posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings.

Cavalli did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-9 loss to the White Sox, allowing six runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli was tagged for four runs in the first inning, though the Nationals made errors on the first two batters he faced. It was the first time the 27-year-old failed to complete five frames since Aug. 27, but he'll finish the campaign holding opponents to three earned runs or fewer in five straight outings. For the season, he posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 major-league innings.

Cavalli came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Mets, allowing five hits and a walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander continues to provide effective innings in September. Cavalli has gone exactly five frames in four straight starts and hasn't served up a homer on the month, posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB through 20 innings. The 27-year-old will look to keep building his case for a spot in the 2026 rotation in his final outing of the current campaign, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the White Sox.

Cavalli didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli struggled early Sunday, giving up three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a Nick Gonzales two-run triple. However, the 27-year-old right-hander would stop the bleeding there, holding the Pirates scoreless over his final four frames. Cavalli has held opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 4.20 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.76 with a 1.46 WHIP and 31 strikeouts across eight starts (39.2 innings) this season. Cavalli currently lines up for a road matchup with the Mets his next time out.

Cavalli (3-1) earned the win Monday at Miami, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over five innings with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old contained the Marlins lineup over this short outing with his offense providing 15 runs of support. Cavalli fired 61 total pitches, 41 of which were strikes, as the Nationals monitor the workload for their oft-injured righty. The former first-rounder has pitched to a 4.67 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB across 34.2 total frames this season. Cavalli is currently slated to make his next appearance at home against the Pirates this weekend.

Cavalli (2-1) earned the win Tuesday over the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli had a strong bounce-back outing after getting pummeled for eight runs (seven earned) by the Yankees in his previous start. He tossed three scoreless frames before the Marlins pushed a pair of runs across in the fourth and he was eventually pulled after tossing 75 pitches through five. Cavalli's fastball topped out at 99 mph and he tied his season high in strikeouts despite the quick hook. Cavalli is over 100 innings pitched for the season between the majors and minors, so it wouldn't be surprising to see some restrictions as the season winds down. He's currently lined up to face Miami again on the road next week.

Cavalli (1-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals were routed 11-2 by the Yankees, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over 2.1 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The home squad sent 15 men to the plate in a nine-run third inning that saw Cavalli serve up long balls to Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Ryan McMahon before he got the hook, after Trent Grisham had given New York a 1-0 lead with a solo shot back in the first frame. Cavalli had been pitching well since joining the big-league rotation for Washington in early August, but Wednesday's disastrous outing sent his ERA soaring from 2.82 to 5.11. The right-hander will look to rebound in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Marlins.