Thursday, August 07

Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

WASHINGTON -- Twenty-nine-year-old PJ Poulin had been eagerly awaiting his Major League debut since he was selected by the Rockies in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. 

The opportunity arose on Tuesday when the Nationals activated him, and he capitalized on it by throwing a scoreless inning against the Athletics. Poulin faced five batters, allowed two hits, recorded one strikeout and did not issue a walk.

“He wasn’t scared to throw strikes,” said interim manager Miguel Cairo. “You can tell that he’s been around and he knew how to throw that ball down in the strike zone. All of a sudden, he threw that four-seamer up. It was a good mix.” 

The Nationals claimed Poulin off waivers from the Tigers on Sunday after he had been designated for assignment on Thursday. He was added to Washington’s Major League roster on Tuesday. 

“Needless to say, I didn’t expect to just come right here not ever having been here,” Poulin said pregame in the Nationals' dugout. “That was definitely unexpected, but obviously super, super cool.” 

Poulin joins the Nats’ bullpen as the fourth lefty, along with Jose A. Ferrer, Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Konnor Pilkington. 

Poulin arrived from Triple-A Toledo, where he was 7-1 with a 3.38 ERA and two saves in 35 games (three starts) this season. His 13.08 strikeouts per nine innings rate ranked fourth among all Triple-A pitchers (minimum of 40 innings pitched). He also limited opponents to a .120 batting average in his last seven starts. 

“I think I’ve done well with throwing more sliders, because it’s just a little bit of a different look, I think, than maybe some of the guys are used to seeing how I throw and how it comes out,” Poulin said. “It's been working well, so I'd like to keep doing that, see how it does here.” 

Poulin played in the Rockies organization through 2023. Last year, he was traded to the Tigers for cash considerations and pitched to a 2.10 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A. Poulin was DFA’d when Detroit cleared roster space at the Trade Deadline. 

“Thinking about the sweat, the tears that have gone into what it takes to get here,” Poulin said, “I guess it’s hard to put into words just how hard it can be to get here for so many years. I’m 29. This is my eighth year of professional baseball. I’m so happy to be standing here.”

For the first time since Aug. 26, 2022, right-hander Cade Cavalli has been tabbed to start a regular-season game for the Nationals. 

Cavalli will take the mound on Wednesday against the Athletics following a lengthy road back from undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 22, 2023. It will be his first start since his Major League debut nearly three years ago. 

Cavalli, 26, has built up to 15 starts with Triple-A Rochester this season. He is 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA in 65 innings. 

To create a roster space for Cavalli, right-hander Andry Lara was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday night.

Dylan Crews has played six games with the Triple-A Red Wings in his rehab assignment from a left oblique strain. Crews logged six innings in the outfield on Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday, he went 3-for-4 as the DH and drove in a run. Crews is slated to return to the outfield on Wednesday and Thursday. He has been on the IL since May 21. 

Outfielder Jacob Young was named the Nationals' winner of the 2025 Heart & Hustle Award. 

Voted on by former players, the award recognizes active players “who exemplify a true passion for the game and who best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”

An overall winner will be selected from the 30 team winners via alumni and fan votes. It will be announced on MLB Network in mid-November.

• Wednesday, Aug. 13: Italian Heritage Day (special ticket required)

• Thursday, Aug. 14: Ladies Night (special ticket required)

• Friday, Aug. 15: Postgame Summer Concert Series -- Sam Hunt; Radford University Day (special ticket required)

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