The Washington Nationals have agreed to a four-year contract extension with right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli that begins in 2027 and runs through the 2030 season, the club announced on Friday afternoon before their three game series against the St. Louis Cardinals where Cavalli is set to start tonight. The deal also includes a club option for the 2031 season.

Cavalli, whom Washington selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, is now positioned to remain a central part of the Nationals’ pitching plans for years to come.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Cade with us for the long haul,” said Paul Toboni. “We’ve seen firsthand the work he’s put in, the challenges he’s overcome and the way he continues to grow as a pitcher, a person and a leader. Our organization has tremendous belief in Cade, and, more importantly, we’re incredibly proud to have him represent the Washington Nationals for years to come. We’re so excited to watch the next chapter of his career unfold here with us.”

The extension is a meaningful commitment from the Nationals to a pitcher whose career has included both high expectations and significant adversity. Cavalli’s combination of power stuff, athleticism and leadership has long made him one of the organization’s most important homegrown arms.

Washington drafted Cavalli out of Oklahoma with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He quickly emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in the organization and made his Major League debut with the Nationals in 2022.

Since then, Cavalli has worked through injury challenges while continuing his path back to becoming a dependable Major League starter. The Nationals’ decision to reach a long-term agreement signals the organization’s confidence in his talent, makeup and ability to contribute to the club’s future.

“We are thrilled that Cade and his family will remain part of the Washington Nationals for years to come,” Managing Principal Owner Mark D. Lerner said. “Since we drafted Cade in 2020, we’ve been continually impressed with who he is as a baseball player and as a human being. He’s shown that he not only has the talent to excel as a Major Leaguer, but he also possesses the high character and leadership qualities that make him a beloved member of our clubhouse and in the community.”

The four-year extension gives the Nationals additional long-term certainty in their rotation planning beginning in 2027. With the deal running through 2030 and a club option for 2031, Washington has secured control over Cavalli during an important stretch of the franchise’s effort to build a sustainable contender around its young core.

For Cavalli, the agreement provides stability as he continues to establish himself at the Major League level. For the Nationals, it represents another investment in a player the organization believes can be both a key contributor on the mound and a leader in the clubhouse.

Cavalli’s extension also reinforces Washington’s faith in its player-development pipeline. The Nationals have emphasized the importance of building through young talent, and the former first-round pick remains one of the most prominent pitchers developed within that system.

The next chapter of Cavalli’s career will now unfold in Washington, with the Nationals holding the possibility of keeping him under contract through the 2031 season.