Throughout Spring Training, the Nats Report will of course provide you with daily updates on the latest developments with the Washington Nationals.

In today's reporter's notebook, I will cover the latest insights from Mike Rizzo, an injury update concerning Cade Cavalli, and the news that Mason Thompson has already been shut down for two weeks

Rizzo: Washington Nationals unlikely to make Additional Major League Signings this Offseason.

I would consider this as the most significant story emerging from today's Spring Training activities. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, it appears that Mike Rizzo has firmly ruled out the possibility of adding any additional players to the team. "I just couldn't find that starting pitcher that was going to impact us at this time, not only for the right number of years but also the right salary at this time," stated Rizzo on Wednesday.

From these statements, it seems plausible that the Nationals may indeed consider adding veterans on minor league deals with spring training invitations.

This offseason, the Nationals have secured big league deals for only three players, none exceeding Joey Gallo's $5 million. Apart from Gallo, the Nationals have engaged a host of veterans in Minor League contracts, including reliever Dylan Floro and infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel, signing them to one-year deals worth $2.3 million and $2 million, respectively. Additionally, they have acquired outfielder Jesse Winker, lefty Richard Bleier, and first baseman/outfielder Juan Yepez.

Cade Cavalli Progressing Nicely from Tommy John Surgery

According to Mike Rizzo via Mark Zuckerman, the 25-year-old right-hander is almost 12 months removed from the surgery, and his recovery is progressing nicely.

The 25-year-old right-hander, Cavalli, is close to 12 months removed from the surgery, but the Nationals have little reason to rush him back to the mound as they plan for another rebuilding year.

Cavalli is likely to remain in extended spring training after camp breaks, and he could join the big-league rotation in June if everything goes smoothly. He made his big-league debut in 2022, posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 104:39 K:BB ratio through 97 innings at Triple-A Rochester. Despite the setback with his elbow, the 2020 first-round pick remains the organization's top pitching prospect.

Cavalli and the Washington Nationals are targeting June for a return to live games, making him an intriguing rotation option for the Nationals in the second half of the 2024 campaign. As a first-round draft pick in 2020, the right-hander holds a 3.51 ERA with 279 strikeouts in 220.1 career minor-league innings.

Reliever Mason Thompson shut down & will be evaluated for an Elbow Injury

According to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, reliever Mason Thompson as been shut down for the next two weeks before being reevaluted for an elbow injury. According to Manager Dave Martinez, the team is “a little concerned” about the injury but declined to into further details and the team will “take it slow with him.”

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