Connelly Early Discusses Making Red Sox’s Opening Day Roster, Earning Starting Gig originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed on Tuesday that 23-year-old left-handed pitcher Connelly Early had not only made the team’s Opening Day roster but will be a member of the starting rotation as well.
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Tuesday’s news comes after Early allowed just three earned runs on 11 hits with five walks and 16 strikeouts in 17 innings during spring training.
Early is scheduled to start the Red Sox’s third game of the regular season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.
“(Cora) just told me that I had performed really well,” the southpaw said, according to MassLive’s Chris Mason. “(They are) giving me the shot to start on Sunday and just go from there. Have a good time with it and have fun with it.”
Early was called up for his MLB debut last September and made four regular season starts.
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Then he started Game 3 of Boston’s AL wild card series against the New York Yankees and surrendered four runs (three earned) on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 3 2/3 frames.
“I would say I’ve grown in a lot of ways,” Early said, per Mason. “I feel like I took the offseason very seriously. Just wanted to get stronger, get in a really good spot, get a little more durable, and come out here and showcase that throughout the spring.”
Cora said that the former fifth-round pick’s spot in the rotation and offseason trade acquisition Johan Oviedo’s bullpen role will likely be re-assessed this spring.
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