The Washington Nationals will shuffle up their starting rotation. Kyle Williams of The Baltimore Banner reports that the Nationals will start Cade Cavalli in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Due to the off day between the Red Sox and Pirates series, Cavalli is starting the Pirates finale on the normal four days’ rest.
Cavalli is coming off the best start of his career against the Boston Red Sox. He struck out 13 Red Sox in seven dominant innings, allowing just one hit in a Nationals 8-1 win. He’s 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA over 90.1 innings on the season.
However, his most memorable action from the game was provoking Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras after striking him out. That led to a benches-clearing brawl between the Nationals and Red Sox. Miles Mikolas was the lone Washington player ejected from the game.
Miles Mikolas Scratched from Scheduled Start
The rotation change could be associated with Miles Mikolas’ fate. Both he and Cavalli were suspended as a result of their actions in the benches-clearing brawl against the Red Sox.
Cavalli was issued a seven-game suspension for provoking Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. Mikolas got five games for getting into a shoving match with Boston utilityman Nate Eaton.
Both pitchers are appealing the suspension, and can continue to pitch while that plays out. However, since the suspension is a result of on-field conduct, the Nationals will play with one less pitcher.
The fact there’s no injury update associated with the change may indicate how Mikolas’ appeal went. It was going to be an uphill battle in the appeal, as he’s clearly caught on video shoving Eaton to the ground before the two re-engaged.
If Mikolas serves his suspension starting on July 5, he’d be reinstated on July 10. Depending on the timing, the Nationals could avoid a turn through the rotation where both starters are suspended.
Impact on Nationals Rotation
As Miles Mikolas and Cade Cavalli’s appeals run their course, the Nationals will have to adjust their rotation.
Andrew Alvarez could start the series opener against the Houston Astros on July 6. But after that game, the picture gets murky.
The only starter on the 40-man roster that could be called up for a spot start is Luis Perales. Perales has a 4.27 ERA across 59 innings with Triple-A Rochester. The right-hander is still listed as the probable starter for Rochester against Lehigh Valley on July 4.
Nationals Announce Rotation Change For Pirates Series Finale