The Washington Nationals are heading into the final stretch of the 2026 season with more reason for optimism than most people expected at the start of the year, and one of their biggest trade-deadline additions is finally lined up to arrive.
Left-hander Connelly Early is scheduled to make his Nationals debut on Saturday, September 26th against the New York Mets in Game 161, according to President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni. Toboni said that during his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan’s Junkies show yesterday, putting a date on a debut that had been in doubt not long ago.
That’s a notable turn for a pitcher the Nationals targeted as a major piece at the deadline. Early came over from the Boston Red Sox in a one-for-one deal for Curtis Mead, who had previously been acquired by Washington for catching prospect Boston Smith. The chain of moves left the Nationals with the arm they wanted, and now the club appears ready to get a look at him before the season ends.
There was some uncertainty after the trade about whether Early would pitch at all this year, so his expected debut is a meaningful development. He brings a strong resume with him, too. Early was once considered a Top 100 prospect in baseball, then turned in a strong finish for the Red Sox and picked up postseason experience that no other Nationals pitchers currently have.
If he stays healthy, Early looks like a real factor in Washington’s plans for 2027. The source material points to him as a rotation lock alongside Cade Cavalli, with Andrew Alvarez also in the mix.
In 17 starts this season, Early has gone 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, while striking out 93 batters in 91.2 innings. That’s the production Washington is hoping to tap into as he gets his first shot against a Mets lineup that has struggled at times this season.
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Cruz still finished with momentum, which matters for a player whose appeal has been built on upside and athleticism as much as on results. The early struggles did not dim the broader view of his ceiling, and for a fan base looking for new reasons to pay attention during a long rebuild, Cruz is now part of the conversation in a much bigger way than he was when the season began. [Read more 🡒]