Fireworks were on display on Tuesday night, and we are not talking about the light-show ones that will take over the United States of America this Saturday, July 4. The fireworks involved Cade Cavalli striking out Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras on a full count. A bench-clearing scuffle happened thereafter.
The events bring us to Boston, Massachusetts, where the Nationals took on the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cavalli met the batter, Contreras.
The count was brought full when Cavalli nabbed the zone twice prior with his accurate four-seam fastball. The other three pitches, he missed the zone between a four-seam fastball, sinker, and knuckle curve. On pitch No. 6, Cavalli spun an 87 miles-per-hour sweeper to the outside of the plate, which Contreras struck out looking.
Willson Contreras threw his helmet at someone after Cade Cavalli told him to "sit down boy" pic.twitter.com/Yr6G8sdSEW
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 1, 2026
Upon getting what his 8th strikeout of the game was, Cavalli walked off the mound to the left, yelling out, "Sit down, boy." Contreras looked Cavalli dead in the eyes, muttered comments in disbelief, and the duo approached each other. Contreras tried to throw his helmet at Cavalli, but was held back by teammates as the benches had cleared, and then the helmet merely grazed who appeared to be Andres Chaparro.
It was later clarified that Contreras interpreted Cavalli's message as one with historically racist connotations. Cavalli spoke to the media on Wednesday and told reporters how he was disgusted with himself. He was unaware of what his comment may have meant to Contreras, who is from the Dominican Republic.
"I'm extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived," Cavalli explained. "I couldn't sleep because of it." Cavalli went on to explain that as a role model to young Nationals fans, it pains him to know that someone could have watched the events unfold and no longer views the Nationals ace as one setting an example for youth.
Interestingly enough, Cavalli was not ejected from the baseball game after the scuffle. He finished the game with 7.0 IP, 1 hit, 1 unearned run, and 13 strikeouts. In fact, it has been viewed as one of Cavalli's best starts of the season and career.
The individuals suspended included: Willson Contreras (BOS), Miles Mikolas (WAS), Nate Eaton (BOS), and Red Sox manager Chad Tracy.
Once the MLB reviewed the matter, it handed down penalties. As of Thursday, July 2, both Contreras and Cavalli have been suspended for 7 games. Mikolas has been suspended for 5 games and Eaton for 3.
On the Nationals' end, Cavalli and Mikolas have appealed their suspensions. The hope is that either can return in time for their next scheduled starts. For Cavalli, that is less likely, as his next start has been scheduled for Monday, July 5. Mikolas had been scheduled to start the day prior, July 4. Both of those games have the Nationals facing the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Next Man Up?
One option to start a game this weekend is long reliever Riley Cornelio. The 26-year-old right-handed pitcher has pitched in 4 games in 2026, going 9.2 innings to a 7.71 ERA. He is a lower-end Nationals prospect now in the major leagues. The expectation would be more so that of a bullpen game than a full-on start.
Brad Lord is also a hot option. However, he did dish out 53 pitches on Wednesday night. Lord may be less likely to play baseball on Saturday, but certainly he is an option to play on Sunday, 4 days rested. Lord's season has earned him the conversation of a starting gig from many fans. His ERA is 3.18 with a 1.2 WAR on 56.2 IP.
Carson Palmquist is also a conversational piece. He joined the Nationals earlier this season in a move from the Colorado Rockies. Palmquist has played 2 MLB games in 2026; 4.1 IP with a 2.08 ERA (1 ER). He may also be more of an opener than a long-inning starter.
If Cavalli's suspension is not cut down upon appeal, his next available game to pitch will be on July 11 against the New York Yankees. As for Mikolas, he would next be available on July 8 against the Houston Astros.
Will further retaliation happen between the Nationals and Red Sox? Probably not. They will not face each other again during the 2026 season.
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