Wednesday's start was a long time coming for Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli. The former first-round pick in 2020 made his first Major League start since 2022 when he took the ball against the Athletics at Nationals Park. Then, he suffered an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery, and he needed 2023 and 2024 to fully recover. The Nationals didn't want to push him this season, so they kept him in the minor leagues until Wednesday.

Athletics at Washington Nationals Game Preview

Nick Kurtz made his MLB debut less than a year atter being drafted fourth overall by Athletics. Kurtz has 23 home runs, 61 RBIs and a 1.035 OPS in his first 75 games. WASHINGTON — Nick Kurtz's dominance has been so startlingly sudden, so consistent and enduring that it's challenging to pinpoint exactly when the Athletics realized just what they had on their hands. It'd be understandable if that moment came in spring training, when the 6-5, 240-pound Kurtz showed up just seven months after he was drafted fourth overall out of Wake Forest and immediately displayed a mindset beyond his years, and a plate approach more suited to a player a decade into his major league career.

The A's are coming off a big offensive performance in their series opener against the Washington Nationals. The 16-7 win was fueled by a record-setting three-homer day from Shea Langeliers. Springs took a perfect game into the sixth inning against the Nationals. If he went the distance he would have become the first A's player to accomplish the feat since Dallas Braden in 2010 – and just the 25th pitcher in MLB history.

CJ Abrams singled home rookie Robert Hassell III with the winning run in the ninth inning, and the Washington Nationals defeated the Athletics 2-1 on Wednesday night to stop a six-game losing streak. Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs retired his first 15 batters before Riley Adams tied the score 1-all with a leadoff homer in the sixth. Hassell doubled off Michael Kelly (2-1) to begin the ninth and scored on Adams' one-out single when left fielder Tyler Soderstrom's throw was off line.

The Athletics have been one of Major League Baseball's more interesting teams this season. At the trade deadline, the Athletics sent former All-Star Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, a successful surgery for Jose Leclerc leaves the closer role to Jeff Ridgway.

The Athletics got some good news on Jose Leclerc after his surgery, but he won't pitch again for the team until 2026.

Shea Langeliers hit 3 home runs and recorded 5 hits in a historic game to become the first catcher to achieve the feat.

Shea Langeliers appears to be powered by laughter as evidenced by his 3-HR night on Tuesday for the Athletics.