Connelly Early, who starred for Sea Dogs this season, to make MLB debut with Red Sox, reports say
Updated: 3:07 PM EDT Sep 9, 2025
Left-handed pitcher Connelly Early, who started the season with the Portland Sea Dogs, is being called up by the Boston Red Sox to start Tuesday’s game against the Athletics, according to multiple reports.Reports indicate that Early will make his major league debut because the Red Sox’s scheduled starting pitcher, Dustin May, is expected to be placed on the injured list.Early, 23, pitched in 15 games for the Sea Dogs, including 12 starts, and posted a 7-2 record with a 2.51 earned run average and 96 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings pitched.In late July, Early was promoted to Triple-A Worcester. He has a 3-1 record with a 2.83 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings pitched across six starts with the WooSox.Early, a fifth-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2023, is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 195 pounds. According to MLB Pipeline, Early is the No. 6 prospect in Boston’s minor league system.Entering Tuesday, the Red Sox held the second wild card spot in the American League. Boston was 3 1/2 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners, who hold the third and final wild card spot, and five games ahead of the Texas Rangers, who are the first team out of the playoff picture. The Red Sox are a game behind the New York Yankees for the first wild card spot and three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East lead.
PORTLAND, Maine —
Left-handed pitcher Connelly Early, who started the season with the Portland Sea Dogs, is being called up by the Boston Red Sox to start Tuesday’s game against the Athletics, according to multiple reports.
Reports indicate that Early will make his major league debut because the Red Sox’s scheduled starting pitcher, Dustin May, is expected to be placed on the injured list.
Early, 23, pitched in 15 games for the Sea Dogs, including 12 starts, and posted a 7-2 record with a 2.51 earned run average and 96 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings pitched.
In late July, Early was promoted to Triple-A Worcester. He has a 3-1 record with a 2.83 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings pitched across six starts with the WooSox.
Early, a fifth-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2023, is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 195 pounds. According to MLB Pipeline, Early is the No. 6 prospect in Boston’s minor league system.
Entering Tuesday, the Red Sox held the second wild card spot in the American League. Boston was 3 1/2 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners, who hold the third and final wild card spot, and five games ahead of the Texas Rangers, who are the first team out of the playoff picture. The Red Sox are a game behind the New York Yankees for the first wild card spot and three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East lead.