The Red Sox and Nationals finalized a trade on Saturday night, just over a week before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. Boston sent left-handed starter Connelly Early to the Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead.
Early, who debuted last year but is still a rookie, has posted a 3.44 ERA and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings across 17 starts this year.
TRADE DETAILS
Red Sox to receive: INF Curtis Mead
Nationals to receive: LHP Connelly Early
Early has been on the injured list with left elbow inflammation since July 1, although he is expected to return in August. The lefty threw one inning in the bullpen on Friday, and his next step before a rehab assignment was expected to be a two-inning ‘pen session.
This is the third trade involving Mead, who was once dealt straight up to the Rays for current Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez. The 25-year-old native of Adelaide, Australia, has played third base, first and second this season, slashing .254/.352/.500 in 87 games.
Per Baseball Savant, Mead’s xwOBA of .359 entering play on Saturday ranked in the 85th percentile of all big league hitters.
