Red Sox Receive Encouraging Injury Update on Connelly Early

Early, 24, departed 61 pitches into last Tuesday’s start against the Washington Nationals because of left elbow discomfort. Boston’s decision to place the rookie southpaw on the IL came a couple of hours before he underwent an MRI, as the club felt it was best to play it safe with only one turn remaining in the rotation before the All-Star break.

Through 17 starts this season, Early is 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 9.1 K/9 rate over 91.2 innings. He tossed four scoreless frames before exiting his last outing, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five. The Red Sox ultimately lost the game 8-1.

Boston’s rotation had been humming before Early’s premature exit, which ended the club’s streak of 12 consecutive quality starts. The Red Sox are now missing three of their top starters, as fellow left-handers Garrett Crochet (out since April with shoulder/lat issues) and Ranger Suárez (left groin strain) are also on the IL.

Despite the injuries, the Red Sox are in a solid position heading into next week’s All-Star break. They have won six straight games and are now just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

Since Early’s IL stint began on July 1, the earliest he can return is July 17, when the Red Sox resume play after the All-Star break with a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. Following that series are three-game sets against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, two more divisional matchups that could help dictate Boston’s trade deadline direction.