Connelly Early - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Red Sox starter Connelly Early has one flaw that could become major problem later on | Sporting News Early has been a very reliable pitcher for the Red Sox so far this season, but he has one glaring weakness.

2 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Earns fourth win Wednesday Early (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Royals, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.1 innings.

Impact Early only made two mistakes Wednesday, serving up a solo homer to Salvador Perez in the first innings before Elias Diaz later took the left-hander deep for a two-run shot in the fifth. Early was still able to log a quality start, his fourth in his last seven starts, and he's allowed more than three runs in just one of 10 starts to begin his 2026 campaign. After struggling with walks earlier in the year, Early has walked one or fewer in three straight outings. The rookie owns a 3.33 ERA and 50:19 K:BB across 54 innings, though his xERA (4.72) suggests he's been more on the lucky side. Home runs have been an issue, as he's now surrendered nine on the season and seven over his last five starts. Early is next slated to face Atlanta's powerhouse offense next week.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mike Yastrzemski's 10th-inning single sends the Braves past the Red Sox 3-2

Mike Yastrzemski led off the 10th inning with a single to left field to score automatic runner Ha-Seong Kim, and the major league-best Atlanta Braves defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-...

MAY 16 • Associated Press

No-decision against Atlanta Early did not factor into Friday's decision against Atlanta. He allowed two runs on five hits while striking out six across five innings. He did not issue a walk.

Impact Both of the runs Early gave up came on solo home runs by Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris in the first and fourth frames, respectively. Early was solid outside of those two long balls, and he ended up avoiding the loss after his Red Sox teammates scored two runs across the sixth and seventh innings. The 24-year-old southpaw has a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB across 47.2 innings this season, and he's slated to face the Royals on the road next week.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox seeing major payoff from emergence of Connelly Early and Payton Tolle | Sporting News The Red Sox made sure to keep these two on the fast track to the MLB. Now, they're undeniably some of the best talent on the roster.

MAY 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Throws seven scoreless in win Early (3-2) earned the win against the Rays on Friday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

Impact Early escaped a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the third inning and was lights out from there, yielding just two baserunners over his final four frames. He induced only eight whiffs on 96 pitches but filled the zone with 70 strikes in his best outing of the season. The young southpaw has now held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in seven of eight starts, with the lone exception being a five-run hiccup Saturday. He'll carry a 3.16 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB across 42.2 innings into a home matchup against the Phillies next week.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Roughed up by Houston Early (2-2) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across four innings.

Impact Early started out slowly by yielding on run on three baserunners in the first inning. He kept the Astros off the board over the next two frames but was tagged with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run long ball by Brice Matthews. It was the first time this season (in seven starts) that Early gave up more than three earned runs, and he now sits at a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings. He's slated to start next week at home against the Rays.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Roughed up by Houston Early (2-2) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across four innings.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Early's run of strong starts snapped after tough bout with Astros BOSTON -- For all of the Red Sox rotation's ups and downs with injuries and inconsistencies in 2026, Connelly Early had been a bright spot....

MAY 2 • MLB.COM

Red Sox may be having Yankees trade remorse amid recent depth pitcher injuries When Opening Day rolled around, it seemed as if the Boston Red Sox had an embarrassment of riches in their starting rotation. Connelly Early...

APRIL 28 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM

Grabs second win Early (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

Impact Early held the Orioles scoreless through his first four frames, ultimately completing a season-high 6.2 innings en route to his second win and quality start this season. The 24-year-old Early has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his six outings. His ERA sits at 2.84 with a 1.20 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 31.2 innings. Early is currently scheduled to face the Astros at home his next time out.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Saddled with loss Tuesday Early (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts across 5.1 innings.

Impact Early had success against the non-Giancarlo Stanton members of the New York lineup, but Stanton tagged Early for a solo homer to lead off the second inning before smacking a two-run double in the sixth. It was the extent of the damage against Early, who has looked good through five starts to begin the season. The left-hander owns a 2.88 ERA and 24:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's expected to make his next start Sunday on the road against the Orioles.

APRIL 22 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox fans can't believe Boston almost left Connelly Early in Triple-A to begin 2026 On April 15, Connelly Early stopped another disastrous Boston Red Sox skid in its tracks. Boston's series against the Minnesota Twins began...

APRIL 16 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM

Sharp in first win of 2026 Early (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings in a 9-5 victory over the Twins. He struck out five.

Impact The young southpaw delivered his first quality start of the season along with his first win, and the only blemish on his line was a first-inning solo shot by Austin Martin. Early tossed 52 of his 85 pitches for strikes, and he has yet to give up more than two runs in an outing in 2026. He'll take a 2.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings into his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Yankees.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Goes 4.1 innings in no-decision Early didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across 4.1 innings.

Impact Early allowed the first three batters to reach in the bottom of the second inning but was able to escape with just one run allowed on a Victor Scott sacrifice fly. Early battled command issues most of the night but was able to work around it and got into the fifth inning before exiting with a 2-1 lead. Zack Kelly (0-1) came on in relief and allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, and St. Louis took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning. Through three starts, Early owns a 2.63 ERA and 15:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's slated to face the Twins on the road Wednesday.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Goes four innings Saturday Early did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Padres, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts across four innings.

Impact Early labored through four innings, needing 88 pitches to do so, and struggled with his command. San Diego's sputtering offense was unable to do much with the baserunners, pushing across just two runs against Early. Through two starts, Early owns a 2.89 ERA and 10:6 K:BB across 9.1 innings. Early's next start will likely come next weekend in St. Louis.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out six in no-decision Early did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Impact Early exited with a 2-0 lead and a runner on first in the sixth inning before Greg Weissert came on and allowed a three-run homer. The 23-year-old generated just seven swinging strikes in an otherwise solid debut, and it was encouraging to see manager Alex Cora let him reach 96 pitches. The southpaw posted a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 19.2 major-league innings last season and lines up for a home matchup against the Padres next weekend.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Connelly Early named to Red Sox starting rotation Left-handed pitcher Connelly Early was named to the Red Sox' starting rotation according to multiple reports ahead of the MLB season.

MARCH 24 • BOSTON.COM

Wins spot in Boston rotation Early will open the season in the Boston rotation, garnering his first start Sunday in Cincinnati, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Johan Oviedo also made the Opening Day roster but will open the season in the bullpen as a possible piggyback option. The Red Sox plan to give Early at least a couple turns in the rotation before reassessing their options. Early was stellar in Grapefruit League play, posting a 1.59 ERA and 16:5 K:BB over 17 innings, which came after he held a 2.33 ERA and 29:4 K:BB across 19.1 regular-season frames down the stretch last year. He will have to pitch well to retain a rotation spot over the long haul, but the news is a big boost to Early's fantasy prospects.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Makes Opening Day roster Early has made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Early entered spring training competing with Payton Tolle and Johan Oviedo for the fifth spot in the Red Sox's rotation. Per Cotillo, the Red Sox will carry both Early and Oviedo on the 26-man roster (with Tolle starting the season with Triple-A Worcester) in an effort to provide length early in the season as both Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello continue to build up after pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Garrett Crochet will serve as Boston's Opening Day starter against Cincinnati while Sonny Gray takes the mound Saturday. With Suarez expected to pitch Monday against Houston and Bello to go Tuesday, there's a chance that Early gets his first start of the season as early as Sunday against the Reds. Early put together a strong spring training, appearing in five Grapefruit League games (four starts) and posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 17 innings.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

The concerning reality behind Connelly Early's dominant spring | Sporting News Are Early's numbers really as good as they appear?

MARCH 20 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Another strong showing Early allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Yankees.

Impact The three-way competition for the fifth starter's job rages on, and Early submitted another piece of evidence that he's ready for the job. The left-hander has allowed four runs (three earned) over 17 innings (1.59 ERA) with five walks and 16 strikeouts in the Cactus League. The other contenders have been equally effective. Payton Tolle threw four scoreless innings of relief Tuesday, lowering his spring ERA to 2.53, while Johan Oviedo, perhaps the frontrunner, has matched Early's 1.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 9.2 innings. All three pitchers have minor league options.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Strong showing Friday Early allowed two hits and walked one while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Tigers.

Impact Early made his second Grapefruit League start and third appearance overall. The left-hander threw 51 pitches (31 strikes) and showcased a fastball that touched 96.2 mph and averaged 94.8, nearly one tick higher than it averaged in 2025. While nominally still in the competition for the final spot in the rotation, Early is expected to open the season at Triple-A Worcester. He's allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over 8.1 spring innings.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to open season at Triple-A The Red Sox plan to option Early to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season if Johan Oviedo wins the final rotation spot, as expected, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Oviedo is the clear frontrunner to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation, and Boston has no plans to keep Early in the majors as a member of the bullpen. The left-hander received his first taste of the big leagues last year and pitched well across four regular-season starts with a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB over 19.1 innings. Early is currently on the outside looking in for a rotation spot since the Red Sox significantly bolstered the unit this winter, but the organization can also get an extra year of service time if he spends 35 days in the minors this season. The top prospect is likely to begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Worcester but will be up with Boston at some point in 2026.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

CONNELLY EARLY NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Mike Yastrzemski's 10th-inning single sends the Braves past the Red Sox 3-2