Connelly Early continues to shine for Red Sox after strong first start in 2026

"He felt strong. He was strong all spring. … He did enough to give us a chance to win."

Connelly Early now has a 2.19 ERA in five career starts with Boston. Jeff Dean/Getty Images

March 29, 2026

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It hasn’t taken very long for Connelly Early to ascend from promising prospect into a legitimate blue-chip talent in the Red Sox’ farm system.

The 23-year-old southpaw dominated in his first four MLB starts to close out the ‘25 campaign, allowing just six runs over 19.1 innings while striking out 29.

After holding his own for a majority of Boston’s season-ending Game 3 loss to the Yankees in the Wild Card round, expectations were high for Early going into the 2026 campaign.

On Sunday, Early again showed why he should carve out a regular role in Boston’s rotation moving forward.

The Red Sox ultimately came up short against the Reds, with a three-run shot from Eugenio Suarez off reliever Greg Weissert in the sixth standing as the decisive play in a 3-2 loss at Great American Ball Park.

But, Early more than held his own in his first start of the season, pitching into the sixth and only getting tagged for one run in the eventual loss.

His final line? 5.1 innings pitched, five hits, one run, two walks, and six strikeouts over 96 pitches

“I thought I did a good job,” Early said postgame, per MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “They sprayed the ball a little bit here and there, but overall, I executed pretty well. Happy to get the first one out of the way. I think (the Reds) are an aggressive team and like to swing the bat.

“So, I was just trying to keep them off balance, mix pitches and use the defense behind me. Had a couple of double plays that were huge.”

Early held the Reds off the board through his first five innings of work, heading back to Boston’s dugout having already thrown 88 pitches.

But, with Boston’s bullpen already hampered after getting taxed on Saturday following Sonny Gray’s lackluster start (four innings, five runs allowed), Alex Cora rolled with Early once again in the sixth inning in hopes of bridging a gap to the back end of Boston’s relief corps.

Dotted. pic.twitter.com/74n0Dgk5kf
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 29, 2026

“Where we were pitching-wise, we needed that,” Cora told McAdam. “We don’t usually extend guys this early in the season. But he felt strong. He was strong all spring. … He did enough to give us a chance to win.

“It’s kind of early to put pressure on certain guys; third game of the season. We pushed him, but he was fine. I don’t think it was his stuff (that made his pitch count climb). I think the at-bats were really good. They fouled off a lot of good pitches. But he was able to get out of it. But that’s what he does.”

Despite giving up a leadoff single in the sixth to Matt McLain, Early stuck out Elly De La Cruz on a change-up before Cora pulled him for Weissert. Weissert wasn’t able to seal the deal — walking Sal Stewart before giving up a three-run blast to Suarez.

Still, it was a promising outing from Early, whose spot in Boston’s rotation wasn’t guaranteed going into the regular season.

Initially, Early was on the outside looking in at Boston’s starting rotation, with Johan Oviedo expected to slot into the No. 5 spot.

But, with Ranger Suarez needing more time to ramp up after pitching in the World Baseball Classic and Oviedo laboring during spring training, Early slotted into the rotation to open this season.

Given Early’s track record against big-league bats (2.19 career ERA in five total starts), he may not need any more seasoning at the minor-league level.