Connelly Early Impresses With 96-Pitch Outing In 2026 Red Sox Debut

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.

With one, huge swing from Suarez, the Reds took a 3-2 lead in the game and ended Early’s shot at a victory.

Still, there was plenty to be excited about with Early’s outing. He was sharp throughout and very much validated — through one start, anyway — Boston’s decision to include him in the rotation to begin the season.

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