WASHINGTON -- There was a familiar face in the Nationals' clubhouse this weekend. Right-hander Cade Cavalli was back with the Nats amid his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Cavalli, who is rehabbing at the Nats’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., met the club in Miami during its series against the Marlins. He traveled with his teammates to Washington, D.C., for their home series vs. the Tigers.

“I really want him to understand that we still care about him,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He’s a big part of our future. Having him here and having him see everything and just have him hang out was big for him, because it’s a big ordeal. Surgeries like that take a long time, and I don’t want him to think that we’re ever going to forget about him.”

Cavalli, the Nationals’ No. 4 prospect, sustained a Grade 3 right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) strain on March 14 in a Spring Training game against the Mets while ramping up for a spot in the starting rotation.

Cavalli reached the eight-week post-surgery marker on Thursday, after which he was able to be out of his brace and touch his shoulder. Out for the season, Cavalli is targeting October to resume throwing.

“He’s got a long road ahead of him,” said Martinez. “So I want him to feel like he’s always welcome here.”

Triple-A Rochester
Center fielder Derek Hill has reached base safely in his past seven contests. During that stretch, he is batting .304 with seven runs, six RBIs, one home run and seven walks.

Double-A Harrisburg
Catcher Drew Millas belted a grand slam in the Senators’ 10-8 win over SeaWolves on Saturday. The Nationals’ No. 29 prospect has collected 11 RBIs in his past three games.

High-A Wilmington
Right-hander Jack Sinclair leads the Nationals' farm system with six saves this season, including two scoreless innings with a trio of strikeouts on Thursday. He is pitching to a 2.84 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP across 19 innings.

Single-A Fredericksburg
Righty Riley Cornelio fanned six and allowed only one run in five innings during his start on Friday. After early exits in his first two starts this month, Cornelio tied his longest outing of the season.