Lowder enters the 2026 campaign after a stellar 2024 debut where he posted a 2-2 record with a 1.17 ERA across six starts. After navigating oblique, forearm and shoulder injuries in 2025, he returns healthy for 2026.

“No matter what happens, I want to be the best version of myself,” Lowder, 24, said. “I feel good physically, mentally. This game is a mental game no matter what, so you’ve got to be strong”.

Lowder was moved up to third in the rotation after Hunter Greene underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery and Nick Lodolo came up with a left index-finger blister and landed on the injured list to open the season.

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This will be his first appearance against the Red Sox.

Early won the final spot in Boston’s rotation this spring after a 2025 debut in which he struck out 11 batters in his first career start. He finished 1-2 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts in 2025. Early, who put on weight and gained strength in the offseason, maintained that momentum with a 1.59 ERA in five Grapefruit League appearances this spring.

“I challenged him right after the season. He’s got to become a monster,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. He’s got to be big and strong. He did an outstanding job in the offseason, checking all the boxes. We saw this last year; the only thing now is that he’s stronger. It was a good offseason for him and now he’s performing at this level.”

Early, who turns 24 next week, will be making his first appearance against a National League club.

“It felt like Early earned that spot,” Cora added. “It’s the same thing that gave me confidence to pitch him in Game 3 of the wild-card series. Stuff-wise, he’s really good.”

Here’s the preview:

RED SOX (1-1): Anthony DH, Story SS, Duran CF, Contreras 1B, Abreu RF, Durbin 3B, Yoshida LF, Mayer 2B, Wong C

Pitching: LHP Connelly Early

REDS (1-1): Friedl LF, McLain 2B, De La Cruz SS, Stewart DH, Suarez 3B, Steer 1B, Myers CF, Stephenson C, Marte RF

Pitching: RHP Rhett Lowder

Time: 1:40 p.m.

TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

Red Sox vs. Lowder: Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1-3, Andruw Monasterio 1-2

Reds vs. Early: Has not faced any Cincinnati batters

Stat of the day: Rhett Lowder has never faced the Red Sox.

Notes: There was no shortage in power from yesterday’s game. Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz each hit a home run and Boston’s Wilyer Abreu forced extra innings by clubbing a solo shot with two outs in the ninth. Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story also went deep … The game also proved to be a rough one for veteran home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor, who had eight calls challenged by the new ABS and six overturned. The Reds won all five of their challenges. Bucknor also ejected Boston manager Alex Cora for arguing a check-swing strike three on with Story at the plate in the seventh inning without asking for an appeal to first base.

Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.