Nationals' Connelly Early: Impressive in short Nats debut
Rotowire
Early didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Mets, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.
Making his first appearance as a National after being acquired from the Red Sox in late July for Curtis Mead (wrist), Early was on a strict pitch count after recovering from elbow inflammation that had kept him on the shelf since June 30. The 24-year-old southpaw made the most of his limited workload, firing 21 of 34 pitches for strikes and facing just one batter over the minimum. Early wraps up his season with a 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 94:34 K:BB through 94.2 innings, and with a healthy offseason he'll head into 2027 as one of the top arms in the Washington rotation alongside Cade Cavalli.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Activated for start
Rotowire
The Nationals reinstated Early (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Out since July 1 with left elbow inflammation, Early has since been traded from Boston to Washington and will be making his debut with the Nationals on Saturday. The left-hander pitched just 2.2 innings over the course of two rehab outings and is expected to throw roughly 2-to-3 innings Saturday before handing the ball to Jake Irvin for bulk-relief work. Luis Perales was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Early, and Chase Hampton was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Making Nationals debut Saturday
Rotowire
Early (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list and make his Nationals debut with a start Saturday versus the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Early is scheduled to throw 2-to-3 innings before handing things over to Jake Irvin, who will serve in a bulk relief role. The left-handed Early was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline while recovering from left elbow inflammation, an injury that's kept him from appearing in the majors since late June. Early made two rehab starts, logging a total of 2.2 innings while allowing six runs (three earned) with a 4:5 K:BB.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Set to join Washington for final series
Rotowire
Early (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his Nationals debut at some point during this weekend's series versus the Mets, MLB.com reports.
Acquired from the Red Sox back on July 26, Early finally appears ready to join the Nationals following a lengthy recovery from left elbow inflammation. He made his second and final rehab appearance this past Sunday at Triple-A Rochester, yielding three unearned runs over 1.2 innings while tossing 40 pitches. Since Early isn't stretched out enough to handle a traditional starting role, the Nationals could look to have him piggyback either Jake Irvin or DJ Herz, who will start Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Labors through first rehab start
Rotowire
Early (elbow) was charged with three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in his first rehab start with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
Making his first appearance since late June, Early showed considerable rust in needing 35 pitches to get through his lone inning of work. He averaged 93 mph with his four-seamer in the outing, which is one mph less than his average for the season. As long as Early recovers well from the start, he could make his Nationals debut next week. It would be an abbreviated outing but could offer the southpaw some peace of mind with his health heading into the offseason. Early missed nearly three months with left elbow inflammation.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Likely to make first rehab start Tuesday
Rotowire
Early (elbow) is expected to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Early had been scheduled to kick off his rehab assignment and make his organizational debut Sunday with Double-A Harrisburg, but the affiliate's game was rained out that day. The Nationals will now look to have Early report to their Triple-A affiliate to continue building on his workload, after he tossed 30 pitches in a bridge league game one week earlier. After his upcoming rehab start, the Nationals could elect to bring Early back from the 60-day injured list for his next outing, though he likely wouldn't be stretched out enough to handle a traditional starting role.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Throwing in bridge game Tuesday
Rotowire
Early (elbow) will make an appearance in a bridge game Tuesday at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Though it will not go down as an official appearance, Early will be pitching in a game for the first time since he went down with left elbow inflammation in early July. It's unclear how many pitches Early is scheduled to throw Tuesday, but he will likely require at least one additional rehab start before joining the big-league rotation. Early was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline and will be making his Nationals debut when he gets into a game.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Resumes mound work
Rotowire
Early (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.
Early encountered a setback in early August when he experienced minor left forearm tightness during a live batting practice session. The left-hander has now resumed mound work as he looks to join the Nationals rotation sometime in September. Early hasn't pitched in a game since late June, when he was still a member of the Red Sox before he was traded to the Nationals on July 26.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Not being sent for imaging
Rotowire
Early (elbow) will not be sent for an MRI after he felt some minor forearm tightness during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Manager Blake Butera indicated the organization wasn't overly concerned about Early's health, but the setback might have been the only excuse the Nationals needed to rule the southpaw out from pitching in the majors again this season. Acquired in the Curtis Mead (wrist) deal, Early had a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 93:34 K:BB through 91.2 innings for the Red Sox earlier this year. He last saw game action June 30 before landing on the IL with elbow inflammation.
Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said Wednesday that Early (elbow) is projected to return from the 15-day injured list in the final week of August, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.
After acquiring Early from the Red Sox over the weekend, the Nationals seem to be preparing for a slow buildup for the left-hander as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. He's slated to throw a two-inning simulated bullpen session within the next day or two before likely throwing a simulated game Monday in Washington, D.C. or on the road in Philadelphia. After that, Early is expected to report to an affiliate to begin a rehab assignment, and he looks like he'll need around three starts in the minors before making his Nationals debut by the end of August.
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Nationals' Connelly Early: Aiming for Aug. 3 rehab start
Rotowire
President of baseball operations Paul Toboni said Sunday that the Nationals are targeting Aug. 3 for the start of Early's (elbow) rehab assignment, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Early hasn't pitched since June 30 due to left elbow inflammation, but the Nationals didn't view the injury as enough of a concern to deter them from acquiring the 24-year-old pitcher from the Red Sox on Sunday in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. The southpaw completed a one-inning simulated bullpen session Friday and is expected to throw a more extended session during the upcoming week before he heads out on a rehab assignment. Early could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to make his Nationals debut at some point during the second week of August.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Ups flat-ground distance to 120 feet
Rotowire
Early (elbow) threw off flat ground out to 120 feet Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Early had been playing catch out to 90 feet last week, so the left-hander has taken another step forward in his throwing program, albeit a marginal one. The southpaw remains without an official timeline to return from the 15-day injured list, after the Red Sox deactivated him July 1 due to left elbow inflammation.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Begins throwing program
Rotowire
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Thursday that Early (elbow) started a throwing program earlier this week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
After a brief shutdown following his placement on the injured list July 1 due to left elbow inflammation, Early has begun ramping up. The left-hander will throw off flat ground out to 75 feet Friday before increasing his distance to 90 feet Saturday. Early will likely require a rehab assignment before he eventually makes his return from the 15-day IL.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Fans nine in seventh victory
Rotowire
Early (7-5) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out nine batters over six innings.
The southpaw got into trouble early, giving up a run on three hits in the first inning. However, he settled down from there, yielding just one more run on a Jose Caballero solo homer in the fourth. Early racked up an impressive 17 whiffs and set a season-high mark with nine punchouts. He was also able to give the Red Sox some length, going six frames for a second straight start after failing to do so across his first three outings in June. Early has had occasional rough appearances but has held his own so far during his first full big-league season, posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB through 87.2 frames.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Wild but steady in win
Rotowire
Early (6-5) allowed one run on two hits, two walks and three hit batsmen while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Saturday.
Early threw just 57 of 98 pitches for strikes in this outing, hitting three batters after he had plunked six all season entering the day. He had gone three starts without completing six frames to begin June, losing all of those games while allowing 12 runs over 14.2 innings. Early now has a 3.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 79:31 K:BB through 81.2 innings over 15 starts this season. The left-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Yankees.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Ineffective in fifth loss
Rotowire
Early (5-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on 11 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Rangers. He struck out three.
After allowing a leadoff long ball to Wyatt Langford, Early struggled to settle in, surrendering a three-run homer to Kyle Higashioka in the second inning and a two-run double to Brandon Nimmo in the fourth frame. He's allowed five home runs over the last three starts and 14 overall across 75.2 innings. It marked a season-worst outing for the southpaw in both hits and runs allowed, as his previous highs were six hits and five runs. Owning a 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72:29 K:BB across 75.2 innings (14 starts), Early will look to get back on track next time out, tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Mariners.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Fans six in fifth loss
Rotowire
Early (3-5) took the loss Tuesday as the Red Sox fell 4-2 to the Orioles, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.
The 24-year-old southpaw fanned at least five batters for a fifth straight start, but homers by Coby Mayo in the second inning and Pete Alonso in the third saddled Early with the loss. It's the third time in his last four starts that Early has served up multiple long balls, but he's done a good job of limiting the damage against him otherwise, posting a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB in 23.2 innings over that stretch. He'll try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Yankees.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Earns fourth win Wednesday
Rotowire
Early (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Royals, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.1 innings.
Early made only two mistakes Wednesday: serving up a solo homer to Salvador Perez in the first innings while Elias Diaz later took the left-hander deep for a two-run shot in the fifth. Early was still able to log a quality start, his fourth in his last seven outings, and he's allowed more than three runs in just one of 10 starts to begin 2026. After struggling with walks earlier in the year, Early has issued one or no free passes in three straight outings. The rookie owns a 3.33 ERA and 50:19 K:BB across 54 innings, though his xERA (4.72) suggests some regression could be in store. Home runs have also been an issue, as he's now surrendered nine on the season and seven over his last five starts.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Grabs second win
Rotowire
Early (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.
Early held the Orioles scoreless through his first four frames, ultimately completing a season-high 6.2 innings en route to his second win and quality start this season. The 24-year-old Early has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his six outings. His ERA sits at 2.84 with a 1.20 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 31.2 innings. Early is currently scheduled to face the Astros at home his next time out.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Saddled with loss Tuesday
Rotowire
Early (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts across 5.1 innings.
Early had success against the non-Giancarlo Stanton members of the New York lineup, but Stanton tagged Early for a solo homer to lead off the second inning before smacking a two-run double in the sixth. It was the extent of the damage against Early, who has looked good through five starts to begin the season. The left-hander owns a 2.88 ERA and 24:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's expected to make his next start Sunday on the road against the Orioles.
