Connelly Early Impresses With 96-Pitch Outing In 2026 Red Sox Debut
Early looked like he was in mid-season form on Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati.
Connelly Early Impresses With 96-Pitch Outing In 2026 Red Sox Debut originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Boston Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early made his 2026 debut on Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, and Early impressed.
The 23-year-old struck out six across 5 1/3 innings, allowing just five hits and walking two in 96 pitches (61 strikes). Early had a good chance to escape without any earned runs, but that was spoiled when Greg Weissert gave up a three-run blast to Eugenio Suarez shortly after coming in for Early. Connelly was tagged for a single earned run, as he'd allowed Matt McClain to reach base on a single earlier in the inning.
Connelly Early picked up right where he left off during spring training. 5. 1 IP - 96 Pitches/61 Strikes 5 H 1 ER/R 6 K 2 BB 7 Whiffs (3 on the Slider) Topped out at 96.
1. 4SFB was up half a tick compared to last season. Unfortunately, Greg Weissert pooped himself immediately.