Friday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Probables |
| Rochester | Lost, 8-1 | @ Buffalo, 6:05pm | Solesky (0-2, 7.04) vs. Lucas (1st AAA start of ’25) |
| Harrisburg | Won, 4-2 | vs. Erie, 7pm | Choi (1st AA start of ’25) vs Miller (0-0, 0.75) |
| Wilmington | Won, 2-1 | vs. Aberdeen, 6:35pm | Sthele (1-1, 5.27) vs. Money (1-1, 2.92) |
| Fredericksburg | Lost, 6-0 | vs. Charleston, 7:05pm | Y. Tejeda (1-0, 4.15) vs. RHP Ryan Andrade (1-0, 0.64) |
Buffalo 8 Rochester 1
• Lara (L, 0-2) 3⅓ IP, 7H, 6R, 3ER, 0BB, 5K, HR
• Alston 1⅔ IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 0K, 2-1 IR-S
• Knizer 4-4, 2B
• Hassell 2-4, RBI
The Bisons got to Andry Lara for two in the 3rd and four in the 4th as they cruised to an 8-1 win to extend the Red Wings’ slide to three games. Lara left after 10 outs and 67 pitches, charged with those six runs (three earned) on seven hits (one HR). He walked none and struck out five. Andrew Knizer singled three times and doubled once while Robert Hassell drove in Brady House on his second safety to break up the shutout in the 6th. Roster moves: RHP Zach Brzykcy MLB rehab transferred from Wilmington; UT Trey Lipscomb optioned from Washington.
Harrisburg 4 Erie 2
• Cavalli (W, 1-0) 5IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 4K
• Cuevas (H, 2) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 0K
• Schnell 2-4, RBI, SB
• Glasser 1-2, BB
Cade Cavalli’s rehab tour continued with five shutout innings to lead Harrisburg past Erie, 4-2. it was the first time the 26-y.o. had thrown more than four innings since August 2022, as he allowed two hits, one walk, and struck out four. The Senators got all four runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run single by Yoyo Morales and bookended by a Max Romero Jr. homer and an RBI single by Nick Schnell. Michael Cuevas worked around a walk in the 8th for the hold while Marquis Grissom Jr. was credited with his 5th save despite giving up a run in the 9th. Roster moves: RHP Cade Cavalli MLB rehab transferred from Fredericksburg; RHP Hyun-Il Choi reassigned from Rochester.
Wilmington 2 Aberdeen
• Kent (W, 2-2) 7IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K, BK, WP
• Jimenez (H, 1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K
• Schultz (SV, 1) 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Suggs 2-3, 2R, BB, 2B
• Stehly 2-4, RBI
The Blue Rocks got another seven innings of one-run ball out their starter to fulfill Lou Brown’s prediction and take their third straight from the Ironbirds, 2-1. Jackson Kent won his second game while walking one and striking out five. Yeuris Jimenez and Thomas Schultz retired the side in order for the hold and the save, respectively. Matt Suggs scored both Wilmington runs while getting on base three times with a single, double, and a walk while (the law firm of) Murphy Stehly singled twice and drove in one to lead the offense.
Charleston 6 Fredericksburg 0
• Meckley (L, 1-2) 2⅔ IP, 6H, 6R, 3ER, 3BB, 1K, HR
• Beeker 3⅓ IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 2K, 3-0 IR-S
• Rivero 2-4
• Tavares 1-4, 2B
Charleston chewed on Alex Meckley for six runs early as Fredericksburg was shut out, 6-0 on five hits. The Nats’ 12th Rd. pick was knocked from the box with two out in the 3rd after six hits (one HR) and three walks. It was his second loss. Honoroable mention to Merritt Beeker for stranding three to get out of the 3rd and then posting three goose eggs. The FredNats were held to four singles (two by Yoander Rivero), a double, and three walks (two by Kelvin Diaz).
Cavalli’s reemergence might be the second best story of the short season so far (Cole Henry’s miraculous resurrection being #1).
Did any Harrisburgers catch what Cavalli’s velocity was? It’d be an extra bonus if all these months of being healthy but not pitching allowed him to build back his velocity.
With him and Soroka both rehabbing in Harrisburg, the question will soon again become what’s our best rotation?
Parker, Gore and Irvin have cemented their places. Williams too, if only because he’s got a 2 year contract. Lord has looked every part a big leaguer, but he’s definitely be the guy to get hooked. Another season in AAA won’t hurt.
But the choice becomes who of Soroka and Cavalli will get that spot? It looks like Soroka will need at least one more start before he’s ready to return to the majors, but Cavalli’s clock is ticking, as he’s presently on rehab and has 30 days (ends on May 19), so that’ll be the date to watch.
Barring another injury, my bet is that Soroka needs to start actually pitching well, or he’ll get sent back to the bullpen by mid May to make room for Cavalli. But they also have the choice to option Cavalli. That’d be harsh if he keeps throwing like he has in his first two games (and Soroka throws like he has in his first two games of the season).
If I remember correctly he was pitching in the mid nineties. He looked good and even gave me a baseball
Thanks for the intel!!
Were you able to get the ball signed? Save that memento. If things go according to plan, Cavalli will need to play an important role in our next playoff team!
it was during the game, last out of the inning, as he walked by me I asked for the ball. I didn’t stay after the game to get it signed. normally in Harrisburg we use minor league balls, but this one was a major league ball
Word is that the Nats are shooting for June for Cavalli’s return to MLB. The Nats have an innings limit on Cavalli, and then don’t want to shut him down at the end of the season. So, barring another injury, Soroka will get at least a handful of MLB starts before Cavalli is called up.
Also, just impossible to predict pitcher’s health. Williams got hurt at the end of May last year and didn’t pitch again until September. So, there could be spots for both Cavalli and Soroka.
Soroka has had one MLB start. A little premature to be calling for the Nats to send him to the pen.
Special shout out to Andrew Knizner, who presently leads all of the minor leagues in batting average! With a .471 AVG, which would put Ted Williams to shame, Knizner is definitely making a statement, and he’s doing this through an ever increasing sample (up to 49 PA now). With Drew Millas also having a decent start to the season too (.260/.313/.425) the question remains about how long of a rope Riley Adams has earned, who’s presently sporting a .167 OPS and a 50 K%.
Yep. Kizner as .612 OBP which is insane. Based upon last year’s usage, the Nats play Keibert Ruiz so much that whomever is the backup loses his mojo when he gets rare PT. Last year, Millas would rake at AAA, get promoted, and start once with a week with predictably limited production.
Cavalli hit at least 97. For some reason, MPH is not displayed after every pitch. Erie batters were looking foolish on his breaking ball. He was never in any trouble and looked comfortable.
I didn’t see the game in Harrisburg but was at the game in Fayetteville. He was throwing 100-101 in 1st inning then 96-98 afterwards. Seemed to be trying to work more on breaking balls after the first inning.