Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said that Connelly Early (elbow) will make his first rehab start on August 3rd.

Early was acquired from the Red Sox on Saturday night in exchange for Curtis Mead. The left-hander has been out since June 30 with posterior left elbow inflammation. He will likely require at least three rehab starts to build up his pitch count before he makes his way back onto an MLB mound, so, assuming he progresses without any setbacks, he could be pitching for the Nationals in the final week of August or early September. Of course, whether or not the team is still in the playoff race by then may determine how they use Early, who is just 24 years old and is clearly an important part of Washington’s future.