Connelly Early - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

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.

3 DAYS AGO • 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

Craig Breslow Reaffirms Commitment To Two Pitchers Following Red Sox-Brewers Trade Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow addressed the status of both Connelly Early and Payton Tolle following Monday's trade.

FEBRUARY 9 • NESN.COM

These Red Sox prospects could crack the Top 100 soon The Red Sox claimed four spots on MLB Pipeline's preseason Top 100 Prospects list in left-hander Payton Tolle, shortstop Franklin Arias, lef...

JANUARY 29 • MLB.COM

Red Sox trade rumor is good news for future of Peyton Tolle, Connelly Early in Boston | Sporting News Neither young starter is likely to go anywhere this winter.

JANUARY 10 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Three Bold Predictions For Red Sox 2026 Season - NESN.com Connelly Early Finishes Top Three In American League Rookie of the Year Voting Payton Tolle is atop most Boston Red Sox top prospect lists d...

JANUARY 8 • NESN.COM

What’s Next: How Sonny Gray's Trade Impacts the Red Sox, Cardinals, Pitcher Market

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NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

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OCTOBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Why did Alex Cora leave Connelly Early in? Red Sox manager criticized for sticking with rookie starter vs. Yankees | Sporting News After Connelly Early's Game 3 start went awry, Red Sox manager Alex Cora wasn't quick to make a change.

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Takes loss against Yankees Early (0-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out six to take the loss in Thursday's Wild-Card game against the Yankees.

Impact Early got through three innings with minimal trouble, recording multiple strikeouts in both the second and third frames. However, he got into trouble in his final inning of work, surrendering four hits and a walk to account for all of the runs against him. Early was also hurt by some shaky defense behind him, but he was ultimately outdueled by fellow rookie Cam Schlittler.

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

One way or another Red Sox starter Connelly Early will make history in Game 3 As the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees in a decisive Game 3 in the Bronx, only one thing is certain. It will be historic. It oft...

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM

Getting Early late: Red Sox rookie can become a playoff legend less than a month after debut This time last month, Connelly Early wasn't even on the Boston Red Sox' big-league roster. The fifth-round pick from the 2023 draft out of V...

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • FANSIDED.COM

Red Sox's Connelly Early, Yankees' Cam Schlittler Historic Game 3 The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will meet Thursday at Yankee Stadium in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • NESN.COM

Who is Connelly Early? Meet Red Sox starting pitcher for Game 3 vs. Yankees The Red Sox and Yankees are both turning to rookies for Game 3. Boston's Connelly Early gets the nod after only four starts.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Yankees and Red Sox square off in decisive AL Wild Card Series Game 3

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox square off in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Red Sox rookie Connelly Early will make never-before-done MLB history by starting vs. Yankees | Sporting News The lefty is doing something no one has ever done.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

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