The Boston Red Sox traded left-hander Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead, the teams announced Saturday.
Early posted a 3.44 ERA and 9.1 K/9 in 17 starts with the Red Sox before being placed on the injured list with posterior elbow inflammation on July 1.
When healthy, the 24-year-old will provide the Nationals with a young, controllable starter for their rotation who has connections to the franchise's president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni.
Early, who was drafted by Paul Toboni when he was with the Red Sox, is under team control through 2031. https://t.co/T9Hl2m8PJv
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 26, 2026
Toboni expects Early to pitch again this season.
"He's just a stud, a stud competitor. Incredibly composed out there, brings a great energy to the clubhouse. … He's one of my favorites I've been around," Toboni said, according to The Washington Post's Danielle Allentuck.
Meanwhile, Mead is enjoying a career year, slashing .256/.351/.505 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs in 86 games. His 135 wRC+ is tied for 20th in the majors among players with at least 300 plate appearances, while his .505 slugging percentage ranked fourth on the Nationals.
The right-handed hitting Mead could provide some pop from that side of the plate to a Red Sox team that sits 29th in homers and ranks 22nd in both isolated power and slugging percentage.
Boston will work through where Mead fits in the club's infield mix, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. The 25-year-old Australian has mostly played third base this season, but he also has experience at first and second.
The Nationals acquired Mead from the White Sox in March for minor-league catcher Boston Smith.
