Cade Cavalli scratched for food poisoning, Nationals pivot to PJ Poulin for opener

The Nationals altered their pitching plan late Friday night after scheduled starter Cade Cavalli came down with food poisoning. With Cavalli unable to go as planned, Washington’s staff shifted to a new look for the opener role against the Rays at Tropicana Field, using left-hander PJ Poulin instead.

According to Nationals manager Blake Butera, Cavalli was “feeling a little bit better” after the illness, though the team still made a precautionary decision to keep him out of Friday’s start. The team’s immediate priority was to prevent the starter from pushing through a condition that could worsen quickly in a high-leverage, road setting.

Poulin’s assignment reflected a common MLB strategy when the original starter cannot take the mound. Rather than forcing the staff into an atypical workload distribution, Washington set up an opener path, giving the bullpen a more controlled sequence while keeping the rest of the pitching mix aligned for the remainder of the game.

Butera also laid out the team’s next step for the rotation. Barring a setback, Cavalli is expected to start Saturday afternoon against Tampa Bay. That matters because Saturday’s start would be the first opportunity for Washington to restore its planned rhythm after an unexpected last-minute change.

While Friday’s swap was about timing and health, the decision also carried roster-management implications for the short term. Opening-pitcher assignments can change how many relievers are used and where they land in the bullpen pecking order for the following day. Even without a full schedule breakdown here, the opener move typically aims to reduce the odds of overusing higher-leverage arms.

Cavalli’s situation adds uncertainty to the Nationals’ week, but the update from the manager suggested a trajectory that was improving rather than deteriorating. For a starter, “feeling better” does not eliminate the risk of lingering effects, which is why teams often prefer a clean break rather than a quick re-entry.

For fans, the next watch is straightforward: whether Cavalli makes the Saturday start as planned and how the Nationals’ bullpen handles the sequencing after an opener. The organization will likely approach the remainder of the pitching staff with an eye on balancing rest and readiness, given the volatility that illnesses can introduce.

In the meantime, Poulin’s role becomes the functional story of Friday’s pitching matchup. With Cavalli sidelined for that game, Poulin’s ability to manage his early innings and keep the Nationals’ margin within reach becomes central to how Washington can navigate the rest of the contest against Tampa Bay.