Washington Nationals Announce Multiple Injury Updates

The Washington Nationals are inching their way toward the end of a 2026 season that has featured plenty more lows than highs over the last month, yet they also saw several injury updates materialize on Tuesday, including along the pitching staff.

Left handed pitcher Connelly Early made his first rehab appearance since he was traded to the organization prior to the deadline. Early tossed 30 pitches in the Bridge League game and is currently on track to pitch in Double A on Sunday.

It marks a notable development for Early, who has yet to make his Nationals debut despite president of baseball operations Paul Toboni expressing confidence that a return to the mound would materialize in 2026. Yet that has yet to come close to coming to fruition for Early, who was transferred from the 15 day to 60 day injured list last month despite not altering his return to play timeline.

He isn't the only Nationals pitcher working to return to form as right handed pitcher Josiah Gray will be available to pitch in Triple A Rochester on Wednesday night. Gray has made multiple rehab assignments over the last month as the 28 year old has remained consistently optimistic in a return from the torn UCL suffered back in April 2024.

Yet there was some bad news that materialized with backup catcher Drew Millas set to undergo surgery for index finger fusion on Friday. Millas made his return to DC last week in search of a second opinion for his injury that has seemingly derailed his offensive production over the last two months, though the development also allowed the Nationals to turn to Harry Ford behind the plate. Millas, meanwhile, posted career-lows in batting average, OBP, slugging and OPS through 50 games in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Nationals also announced that right handed pitcher Zak Kent has been optioned back down to Triple A Rochester. Tuesday marked his first appearance for the Nationals since pitching a pair of innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates back on July 3, an extended absence. Yet his return to the Nationals came after the team recalled him from Triple A hours before opening pitch after right handed pitcher Matt Waldron was transferred to the 15 day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 5, due to chest inflammation. Kent appeared in Tuesday's loss after allowing one hit, tossing one strikeout and giving up one walk across 34 pitches and two innings.