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Nationals' Connelly Early: Throwing program paused
Rotowire
The Nationals paused Early's (elbow) throwing program Thursday after he felt forearm tightness during his latest live BP session, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.
Early has been sidelined by elbow inflammation since the beginning of July. He was aiming to return from the IL to make his Nationals debut sometime in late August, but the latest setback is likely to extend his time on the shelf. Manager Blake Butera noted that the left-hander's forearm issue isn't too concerning, per Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com, but the team is still going to be "ultra cautious" with Early going forward and give him some time off to rest before reevaluating and determining next steps.
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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.
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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Nationals' Connelly Early: Dealt to Washington for Mead
Rotowire
The Nationals acquired Early (elbow) from the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Early is currently on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, but he's been throwing for the past week and is expected to head out on a rehab assignment in the near future. Boston had a surplus of starting pitchers and chose to ship out Early to address the team's need for added thump to the lineup. In the 24-year-old Early, the Nationals get a young arm who can occupy a spot in the rotation for years to come. Across 21 career MLB regular-season starts, Early has a 3.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 122:38 K:BB spanning 111 innings.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: Adds bullpen session to rehab
Rotowire
Early (elbow) threw an inning in a bullpen session Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Early, who had played catch out to 120 feet earlier in the week, added a bullpen session to his rehab progression. The left-hander also added pitchers' fielding practice to his list of activities. The next steps for Early will be a two-inning session in the bullpen followed by live batting practice. A short rehab assignment is anticipated.
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: Second opinion reveals inflammation
Rotowire
A second opinion on Early's injured left elbow confirmed the diagnosis of posterior inflammation, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
It's good news for Early, who was removed early from his June 30 start and placed on the 15-day injured list the following day. The rookie southpaw should be ready to return to the Boston rotation shortly after the All-Star break. Early has posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 93:34 K:BB across 91.2 innings spanning 17 starts this season.
Early (elbow) will seek a second opinion, MLB.com reports.
Early underwent an MRI earlier this week, which revealed posterior elbow inflammation, but the left-hander wants to confirm that. The Red Sox placed him on the 15-day injured list after he exited a start against the Nationals after tossing four scoreless innings.
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Red Sox's Connelly Early: MRI confirms inflammation
Rotowire
Early has been diagnosed with left posterior elbow inflammation following an MRI, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
It appears to be a best-case scenario after Early was forced to depart Tuesday's start against the Nationals after four innings and then landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. The Red Sox have not yet officially determined next steps for the young hurler, but the hope is Early will be able to resume throwing soon. If that happens, it's possible the left-hander could rejoin the rotation not long after the All-Star break.
Red Sox's Connelly Early: Moved to IL with inflamed elbow
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Early on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left elbow inflammation.
After striking out five and blanking the Nationals through four innings in his start Tuesday, Early was lifted prior to the top of the fifth after experiencing elbow discomfort. The Red Sox are classifying Early's injury as inflammation, but he'll undergo further imaging Wednesday as the club looks to determine if there's anything more significant at play. Early won't be eligible to return until after the All-Star break, but if he avoids a prolonged shutdown from throwing, he could be ready to pitch when the Red Sox open their second-half schedule.
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