Right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli, the top pitching prospect of the Washington Nationals, exited Tuesday’s game with Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in the fourth inning due to an apparent hand injury.
Video showed Cavalli waving to the dugout after throwing a pitch. The Red Wings athletic training took a look at his fingers before they walked off the mound.
Following their 5-2 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers, Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy downplayed the situation. LeCroy said Cavalli was removed out of precaution due to a piece of skin on his finger.
“He had a little thing on his finger,” LeCroy said, per Dan Glickman for Pickin’ Splinters. “It wasn’t really a blister, it was a little small piece of skin that got pulled off of his finger. He wanted to keep going, but we thought it would be best not to. I think we got it at the right time, so I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”
Cavalli entered Tuesday’s game with a 3-0 record and 2.31 ERA since May 22. He was named to this weekend’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. It’s unclear if the finger nick will jeopardize his status for the All-Star Game.
Cavalli is expected to join second baseman/center fielder Darren Baker as the Nationals representatives for the Futures All-Star Game. A 2020 first round pick of Washington, Cavalli is at the top of the Red Wings rotation. There is a lot of anticipation for his call-up. For now the focus is on keeping his injury minor.
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