Top Nationals Prospect To Have Season-Ending Tommy John Surgery

In a massive blow to the Washington Nationals, their No. 4 prospect, and a Top 100 prospect in all of baseball, right-handed starter Cade Cavalli will be forced to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Cade Cavalli has a Grade 3 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament and will require Tommy John surgery, the Nationals announce. Brutal news.

— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) March 16, 2023

He suffered a Grade 3 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament during Tuesday's spring training game, and the news of course takes Cavalli out of the Nationals' plans for the entire 2023 season, and perhaps some of 2024.

Cavalli, 24, is a former first-round pick for the Nats (2020 Draft) and has had an impressive spring, tossing 5 2/3 innings with a 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, with seven strikeouts. 

He was supposed to be a key part of a rebuilding Nationals' rotation this season, with other exciting young arms like Mackenzie Gore and Josiah Gray, obtained in the Juan Soto and Max Scherzer deals, respectively. 

Now, that story is on hold. “While Cade will not pitch in 2023, he continues to be a very important part of our franchise’s future and we look forward to having him back on the mound,” general manager Mike Rizzo said in a release. 

Last year at Triple-A, Cavalli posted a 3.71 ERA with 9.6 K/9.

Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports