Nationals Rookie Starter Shut Down for a Couple Weeks

He made his highly anticipated debut this past week. 

Now, the Washington Nationals have announced that starter Cade Cavalli has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. 

Cavalli reportedly felt sore the day after he started. He underwent an MRI exam, which showed a clean rotator cuff and labrum. Manager Davey Martinez was hesitant to say his season is over, but given how much time there is left, it wouldn't be surprising. 

In his debut this past week, Cavalli was pounded for six hits and seven earned runs over just 4.1 innings of work. He also walked two and hit three batters. It was just a disastrous first outing and, to make it worse, it came against one of the worst offenses in the league in the Cincinnati Reds. 

Photo Credit:Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Cavalli is the Nationals' fourth-ranked prospect and the 58th-ranked prospect in all of baseball. Losing their rookie pitcher after just one start is yet another blow to an already dismal Nationals team and season. 
Photo Credit:Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports