Connelly Early
Dettaglio
Prestazioni
NovitàFornito da
Fornito da
29 marzo 2026
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.
Analisi
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 regular-season major-league innings last season and lines up for a home matchup against the Padres next weekend.
24 marzo 2026
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.
Analisi
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.
23 marzo 2026
Makes Opening Day roster
Early has made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Analisi
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.
