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Sep 16, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early (71) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora first displayed his belief in the organization's No. 3-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline when the left-hander started Game 3 of last year's AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees.
Now, the Red Sox are excited for what Connelly Early has in store for 2026.
Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News reports that Early was told he's made Boston's Opening Day roster, breaking camp with the Major League club after posting a 1.59 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 17 innings during spring training.
Payton Tolle, the other highly touted Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect, will start the year at Triple-A.
Early breaks camp with Red Sox
Now that Early will start the season in the Majors, there's a handful of No. 5 starter options on the Red Sox pitching staff.
“We’re talking about a few things, different scenarios,” Cora told Chris Cotillo of MassLive on Friday.
“There’s conversations. I can tell you that. Conversations, but nothing 100%. We have to think about the ‘now’ of the team and the future of the organization. If you cut some people short, you’re going to pay the price. We have to make sure whatever decision we make is based on what we need early in the season and then for the rest of the season.”
Cotillo reports that Boston "views Early as a starter" and the likelihood of him coming out of the bullpen during the first few weeks of the season is low.
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