Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli apologizes for calling Willson Contreras 'boy' after strikeout: 'It'll never happen again'

Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli found himself in hot water Tuesday after an on-field altercation with Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. A day later, Cavalli apologized for the term he used that resulted in the benches clearing.

The incident occurred in the fourth inning of Tuesday's game. After striking out Contreras on a sweeper, Cavalli could be heard on the broadcast saying, "Sit down, boy." Instead of heading to the dugout, Contreras confronted Cavalli over the comment. When Cavalli didn't back down, benches cleared and Contreras threw his helmet at Cavalli in the fracas.

Once the dust settled, Contreras was ejected from the contest for his actions. Three other individuals Red Sox pitcher Nate Eaton, interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy and Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas was also ejected. Cavalli was allowed to continue pitching, and turned in his best start of the season, striking out 13 over seven innings in the win.

After the contest, Cavalli said "I didn't say anything. I just looked at him. And then a few words were said after the strikeout." But the pitcher took a different track Wednesday.

Cavalli and Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni addressed the incident — and Cavalli's choice of words — ahead of Wednesday's contest.

Cavalli said he did not mean to use the term in a disparaging way and has "learned a lot" since Tuesday's confrontation. Cavalli said he learned "there's a history behind that word" and added that "It'll never happen again."

Toboni said he thought Cavalli's choice of words was "not ideal." Toboni said he believed Cavalli was not aware the term "boy" could cause "a negative reaction from folks." After speaking Cavalli, Toboni said the pitcher understands the situation now, and will eliminate the term from his vocabulary.

The term "boy," when used in certain contexts, can be a disparaging word for men of color and can have racist undertones.

MLB has yet to weigh in on possible fines and/or suspensions for Cavalli, Contreras or any other individual involved in the altercation.

Cavalli, a first-round pick by the Nationals in the 2020 MLB Draft, is in the midst of his finest season in the majors. Through 90 1/3 innings, Cavalli has a 3.69 ERA with 102 strikeouts.

Contreras, 34, is enjoying one of his best seasons in the majors. He's hitting .280/.374/.529, with 18 home runs, over 337 plate appearances.