The Pink Sox, who surged up the standings and are again in playoff rivalry three months after firing Alex Cora, added to their infield forward of the commerce deadline.
Boston acquired third baseman Curtis Mead from the Nationals in alternate for Connelly Early, a 24-year-old with simply 21 MLB begins on his ledger, on Saturday evening, The Put up’s Jon Heyman confirmed — parting with a gifted younger arm to fill up for an American League East race that additionally contains the Yankees and the Rays.
The Nationals ended Saturday evening one recreation over .500 (53-52) and simply two video games again of the Diamondbacks for the ultimate wild-card spot within the Nationwide League, and the addition of Early — who’s presently injured and recovering from left elbow irritation — provides them a younger arm of their rotation, too.
Mead, 25, began his profession with the Rays earlier than spending the tip of the 2025 marketing campaign with the White Sox, and this season, he has collected an .856 OPS — on observe to function the most effective of his profession — and 17 dwelling runs, together with 48 RBIs.
His addition and skill to play third base may pressure Caleb Durbin to shift to second base, one thing he acknowledged that he’s keen to do, in line with the Boston Globe.
Early collected a 3.44 ERA throughout his first 17 begins this season, although he hasn’t pitched since June 30 whereas coping with elbow irritation.
The Nationals deliberate to recall Brady Home from Triple-A Rochester to take Mead’s spot, in line with The Athletic.
Boston, which fired Cora one month into the season, revived its trajectory for the 2026 marketing campaign with a 15-game profitable streak, and the Pink Sox — after a 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday — possessed the second wild-card spot within the AL and sat six video games behind the Yankees.
And within the race for the American League crown, it’ll be on the Yankees and basic supervisor Brian Cashman to reply.
They’ve wants to handle — from catcher to maybe one other bullpen arm — and are searching for a jolt to an offense that has struggled with out Aaron Decide and simply misplaced outfielder Cody Bellinger to a hamstring damage Saturday, too.
