Game 36: Twins at Nats

Cade Cavalli looks to keep his recent surge going, while the Nationals look to produce at the plate despite the absence of Luis García Jr.

It took a little while to get him going, but Cade Cavalli has been on quite a run his last few times on the mound. After dealing with command issues and a high pitch count through the season’s first couple of weeks, the right-hander has put it all together since. He’s posted back-to-back, 10-strikeout games. He’s also allowed only five earned runs over his last three starts, issuing only two walks in that same span.

Cavalli will try to keep that up tonight when he faces the Twins in the opener of a three-game, interleague series. It’s his first career appearance against Minnesota, so he should have the unfamiliarity edge on his side.

The Nationals aren’t super familiar with Twins starter Taj Bradley, but Blake Butera did manage the former Rays prospect at Single-A Charleston in 2021. Bradley has been very good so far this season, allowing two or fewer runs in six of his seven starts.

Butera’s lineup is a bit short-handed tonight: Luis García Jr. is not starting after departing Sunday’s game with a sore right wrist. Scroll down for the full injury update on García and others …

MINNESOTA TWINS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Partly cloudy, 81 degrees, wind 15 mph out to left

TWINS
CF Byron Buxton
LF Trevor Larnach
C Ryan Jeffers
DH Josh Bell
RF Austin Martin
1B Kody Clemens
2B Luke Keaschall
SS Brooks Lee
3B Royce Lewis

RHP Taj Bradley

NATIONALS
RF James Wood
LF Daylen Lile
1B Curtis Mead
SS CJ Abrams
CF Jacob Young
3B Jorbit Vivas
2B Nasim Nuñez
DH José Tena
C Keibert Ruiz

RHP Cade Cavalli

PREGAME NOTES

Photo by Joe Glorioso /ALL-PRO REELS

GARCIA DAY-TO-DAY WITH MINOR SPRAIN
Though he’s not in tonight’s lineup, García does not need to go on the IL at this point. The second baseman had an MRI test Monday, which revealed a mild hand/wrist sprain. He’s officially considered day-to-day, though Butera said he’ll likely sit out Wednesday night’s game as well, with the hope of returning for Thursday afternoon’s series finale.

García departed Sunday’s game after his second at-bat but said he’s been dealing with the sore wrist for about two weeks and had been able to play through it until now.

García’s absence, even if only for a brief time, is notable. He’s played in 33 of the Nationals’ first 35 games, with 27 of those appearances coming as a member of the starting lineup and another eight coming off bench, often to replace Curtis Mead at first base at some point during games when the opposing team brings in a right-handed reliever.

OTHER INJURY UPDATES
* Clayton Beeter (right forearm soreness) threw off a mound Sunday for the first time since going on the 15-day IL.

* Cole Henry (right rotator cuff strain) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session over the weekend in West Palm Beach and is waiting to be cleared to begin throwing to live hitters.

* Josiah Gray (right flexor strain) played catch Saturday in West Palm Beach for the first time since going on the 60-day IL at the end of spring training.

* DJ Herz and Trevor Williams (rehab from elbow surgery) each threw bullpen sessions over the weekend, 30 pitches for Herz and 20 pitches for Williams.