Cade Cavalli made his MLB debut with one start late in 2022, but felt discomfort in his right shoulder as he worked to prepare for start No. 2 in Washington’s rotation, and was eventually shut down for the year. Then the 25-year-old, 2020 1st Round pick was poised to pitch in the majors last spring, before he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow pitching in Spring Training and underwent Tommy John surgery.
Cavalli took a moment to feel sorry for himself, then quickly reoriented, going full-on rehab mode, following the plan laid out by the Nationals, and putting in the work over the last year to get back where he needs to be to pick up where he left off before the injury.