Boston Red Sox prospect Connelly Early will make his major league debut on Tuesday, replacing injured list-bound Dustin May as the starting pitcher against the host Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., the Boston Herald reported.
Early, 23, was a fifth-round draft pick by Boston in 2023 out of Virginia. The left-hander is 10-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 21 games (18 starts) this season at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He has struck out 132 batters in 100 1/3 innings.
May is headed to the 15-day IL with an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old right-hander is 7-11 with a 4.96 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) with the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Acquired in a July 31 trade with the Dodgers, May allowed one run on three hits in three innings of relief in his most recent appearance against the Cleveland Guardians last Wednesday.
May is 19-20 with a 3.86 ERA in 71 career games (57 starts) with Los Angeles (2019-23, 2025) and Boston.
