Early will make rehab start in early August

It seems unlikely that Early, who threw 35 pitches (23 strikes) in his first rehab outing, will make his Nationals debut during the final week of the season, but the fact that he’ll enter the offseason with a clean bill of health is the best-case scenario. The 24-year-old southpaw came over from the Red Sox in the Curtis Mead trade back in late July. He figures to open next season in Washington’s rotation.

The 24-year-old hurler pitched in a bridge game in Florida on Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from elbow inflammation and forearm tightness. If all goes well with Sunday’s outing, it’s possible that he could be cleared to join the Nationals.

Early is working his way back from elbow inflammation, and forearm tightness that cropped up during his rehabilitation process, which sent him to the injured list when he was still with the Red Sox back in late June. There’s a chance he makes his Nationals debut before the regular season concludes, but his odds of making a fantasy impact are virtually nonexistent. The biggest takeaway here is that Early should have a normal offseason and begin next year in Washington’s rotation.

Early might come off the IL to make an appearance or two at the end of the year. He presumably won’t be fully built up for five- or six-inning starts.

Early’s odds of returning before the end of the season took a major hit when he experienced forearm tightness during a live batting practice session earlier this month. The 24-year-old has been out with posterior elbow inflammation since late June and remains without a clear return timetable following this latest setback. The procedural move opens up a spot on Washington’s 40-man roster to claim starter Matt Waldron off waivers.

Early is working his way back from posterior elbow inflammation, so his now feeling tightness in his forearm is not a great sign. Nationals manager Drew Butera said that the team will be “ultra cautious” with Early and “hit pause” on his throwing program for now before deciding on next steps. With Washington now 5.5 games out of a playoff spot, there’s a good chance we won’t see Early pitch any games for them this season.

Early is scheduled to throw again later this week. Nationals president Paul Toboni told reporters earlier on Monday that Early will begin a minor league rehab assignment in early August. The 24-year-old southpaw was acquired from the Red Sox for Curtis Mead over the weekend. He’s been out with posterior elbow inflammation since late June. He’ll need a couple weeks to build up his pitch count and stamina in the minors before making his Washington debut.

Obviously, there’s nothing at all guaranteed for the Nationals here, but turning Mead, who was acquired after being DFA’d by the White Sox in March, into a pitcher who was universally regarded as a top-75 prospect at the start of the season and who has posted a 3.24 ERA through 21 major league starts, seems like a major win for the organization. There is the huge caveat that Early is currently on the IL with elbow inflammation. Also, his peripherals aren’t as strong as that 3.24 ERA. Still, he projects as a fine middle-of-the-rotation starter for the long haul, even if his recovery from his current elbow issue doesn’t go as hoped. The Red Sox, for what it’s worth, seemed optimistic that he’d be ready to contribute in September. The Nationals, meanwhile, will replace Mead with Brady House. They’ll still probably trade another infielder, too, with Luis García Jr. most likely to go.

Unless Early is damaged goods — and he obviously currently is on the IL with elbow inflammation — this seems like a pretty weak return for the Red Sox. Mead has broken out nicely with a .256/.351/.505 line this year, but not with the kind of exit velocity numbers that suggest he’s going to be an above average regular going forward, especially given his lack of defensive value. The Red Sox figure to use him a lot at DH for now and then mix him at third and first if Roman Anthony gets healthy and the outfield gets overcrowded again. Masataka Yoshida will lose at-bats in Boston. The Nationals will recall Brady House to replace Mead, according to Spencer Nusbaum.

Early increased his flat-ground throwing distance to 90 feet after playing catch from 75 feet on Friday. The 24-year-old lefty hit the injured list with posterior elbow inflammation back on July 1. He’ll ramp up his throwing progression over the next few weeks and should make it back to Boston’s rotation at some point in the second half.