Nationals' Cade Cavalli Has Suspension Reduced by MLB After Willson Contreras Altercation

Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli will only be suspended five games instead of seven following his incident with Boston Red Sox slugger Willson Contreras that led to a benches-clearing scuffle.

Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reported Monday that Major League Baseball reduced the suspension by two games. The punishment will start with Monday's game against the Houston Astros.

The altercation happened in Tuesday's game when Cavalli struck out Contreras and then yelled something at the hitter.

Contreras responded by throwing his helmet, which led to the benches clearing:

While Cavalli wasn't ejected, Contreras, manager Chad Tracy and outfielder Nate Eaton were on Boston's side. Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas was ejected on the other side.

Initially, Contreras and Covelli were each suspended seven games, while Mikolas was suspended five and Eaton was suspended three. Chris Cotillo of Mass Live reported Contreras' suspension was a full seven games in part because he also violated the league's social media policy in addition to the throwing of the helmet.

Contreras, like Cavalli, appealed the punishment.

They also each responded to the situation publicly with Cavalli explaining he didn't have any ill-intention when he yelled after the strikeout:

Cavalli has made 19 starts this season with a 3.88 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 92.2 innings. This has been the best season of his career, and a five-game suspension isn't exactly significantly punitive for him as a starting pitcher.

Washington can shuffle its rotation around if it chooses and ensure he misses one start at most.

The Nationals won Tuesday's game following the incident and ended up taking two of three from the Red Sox.