Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Cavalli (elbow) is healthy, but the Nationals plan to manage the right-hander's workload this season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. "He had a good winter," Martinez said of Cavalli. "He looks great. We know he's going to be limited in how many innings he pitches this year, so we want to make sure when he does get out there, we do have him the whole season."

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2023, Cavalli missed that entire season and was limited to just three minor-league rehab appearances in 2024, with none coming after June. He came down with a bout of the flu and then dealt with a dead-arm phase for a large chunk of the second half of last season, but he was at least able to ramp his throwing back up in September. Cavalli seems to have emerged from his offseason throwing program free of setbacks, so he should be facing relatively few restrictions this spring, aside from the Nationals managing how many live innings he throws. Martinez left the door open for Cavalli to compete for a roster spot with the big club, but given the extended time he missed in addition to his limited MLB experience (he made one start for the Nationals in 2022), the 26-year-old is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Rochester.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday that Cavalli (elbow) will continue to work through his throwing program but won't pitch in games before the end of the season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander began the season on the injured list while completing his recovery from Tommy John Surgery in May 2023, but a "dead arm" phase over the summer derailed his rehab assignment. Cavalli will continue to build up his arm over the final weeks of the regular season, but he'll head into 2025 with plenty of uncertainty coming off consecutive lost seasons.

Cavalli (elbow/arm) will throw a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The bullpen session -- which will feature all fastballs -- will be his first time throwing off a mound since he had to be pulled off his rehab assignment in mid-July due to a "dead arm" phase. Cavalli had made three rehab starts in the lower minors as he works his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. It's going to take a while for him to get ramped back up, and it's not clear whether the 26-year-old will have a shot to make it back before the end of the season.

Cavalli (elbow) reported to the Nationals' Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli was sent to resume his minor-league rehab assignment at High-A Wilmington on July 26 but never appeared in a game for the team. Now, he'll join the Nationals' FCL affiliate. Manager Dave Martinez said that Cavalli will be ramping up his arm in Florida with the hopes of returning to a mound before the end of the season. It's unclear what resulted in the multi-week setback for Cavalli, who was already behind schedule after an illness forced him to halt his rehab assignment in late June. Cavalli shouldn't be expected back for several weeks.

Cavalli (elbow/illness) was sent to High-A Wilmington on Thursday to resume his rehab assignment.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli hasn't pitched in more than a month, as he was pulled off his initial rehab assignment due to the flu. The right-hander is coming back from Tommy John surgery and there's been no indication he had a setback with his elbow, and he's now ready to ramp things back up. Cavalli had pitched well in his first three rehab starts, collecting a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. He'll need some time to get built back up but could be a candidate for the Nationals' rotation within the next month or so.

Cavalli (elbow), who came down with the flu June 24, has not pitched in a rehab game since June 21.

EDGE Analysis

There was a report from Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports on July 3 that Cavalli's rehab assignment had been shut down, but there has been no specific news about a setback for Cavalli. Still, that's an obvious fear, given how long it has been since the last update from the team. Since it has been almost four weeks since Cavalli last pitched, he will need to re-build back up whenever he is cleared to resume his rehab assignment, so a return to the big-league rotation doesn't seem imminent. He has a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 8.1 innings across three rehab appearances.

Cavalli (elbow) is dealing with the flu and will be held back for a few days, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli started a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington on Friday as he continues to work his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in spring of 2023. In his first rehab start, he tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three batters. The illness isn't a long-term concern for Cavalli and he'll likely be back on the mound in the near future.

Cavalli (elbow) struck out three and fired three scoreless, no-hit innings for High-A Wilmington on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander had his rehab from Tommy John surgery paused in late May, but he was brilliant in his return to the mound as he threw 35 pitches and allowed just one baserunner to reach base on a walk. The Nationals have been cautious with Cavalli's recovery, but he appears to be entering the final stages of his rehab and could return from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break.

Cavalli is expected to throw three innings at High-A Wilmington on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cavalli's three-week rehab pause was attributed to rest rather than a setback in his Tommy John recovery. Still, Cavalli will see game action for the first time since May 30 on Friday, returning to Wilmington to continue his assignment. It's likely he won't be ready for reinstatement until closer to the All-Star break.

Cavalli (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals pulled Cavalli off his rehab assignment earlier this month, although they referred to it as merely giving the pitcher a break rather than it being a setback as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. Since he's facing hitters again, the righty figures to resume his rehab assignment soon. He could be an option for the Nationals around midseason.