Nationals To Activate Connelly Early From 60-Day IL

The Nationals are expected to reinstate lefty Connelly Early from the 60-day IL ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Mets, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. Early will draw the start for his team debut. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since late June.

The plan is for Early to toss a few innings ahead of bulk reliever Jake Irvin, notes Zuckerman. He threw 40 pitches over 1 2/3 innings in his last rehab outing. Washington’s 40-man roster is currently full, so a move will be needed to make room for Early.

The Nationals acquired Early from the Red Sox straight up for infielder Curtis Mead in late July. It was an intriguing move for both sides, but one that has produced next to zero results so far. Early hit the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation in early July. Washington moved him to the 60-day IL in August. Unlike Early, Mead was healthy when he was traded. It didn’t last long. He was hit by a pitch in his second at-bat with the Red Sox and broke his wrist. Mead hasn’t played since the injury.

Early earned a spot in Boston’s Opening Day rotation with a dazzling four-start run at the end of 2025. The lefty piled up 29 strikeouts in his first taste of the majors. He permitted just five earned runs. The punchouts came down this season, but Early was a steady member of Boston’s rotation before the injury. He posted a 3.44 ERA across 17 starts.

Washington locked down ace Cade Cavalli on a four-year deal last week. Beyond Cavalli, the 2027 rotation is unsettled. Lefty Andrew Alvarez has put together a solid audition over the final two months of the season. Fellow lefty DJ Herz is back after missing the 2025 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. Irvin and Jackson Kent are in the mix. Brad Lord, Riley Cornelio, Luis Perales, and Will Dion all have ample starting experience. It’s not the caliber of group that would keep a healthy Early from securing a rotation spot next year.