Update 12:24 a.m. ET. Early told reporters after Tuesday night's loss that he was "not too concerned" by the injury. 

Update 10:30 p.m. ET. According to interim manager Chad Tracy, Early is "in good spirits", but will undergo imaging tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. 

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox were looking to make it six consecutive wins on Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals. After four scoreless innings of work, left-handed starter Connelly Early was mysteriously removed from the game. Here's what we know before the conclusion of the contest.

The 24-year-old Early was cruising through the Nationals lineup, allowing only three hits, while striking out five and walking two. He needed only 61 pitches to get through four scoreless innings of work. 

With the Red Sox batting in the bottom half of the fourth, lefty reliever Danny Coloumbe began getting loose rather quickly in the Boston bullpen, signaling that Early's night may come to an early close. 

Tempers flared between the two teams after Willson Contreras was caught looking by Cade Cavalli, leading to an on-field fight between Contreras and Cavalli. But once cooler heads prevailed and the Red Sox were retired, it was Coloumbe who was on the mound for Boston.

Shortly after Early's departure, the Red Sox announced that the 24-year-old lefty was removed from the game with left elbow discomfort. 

The Red Sox starting rotation was amidst a historic streak heading into Tuesday night, having registered 12 straight quality starts, the third-longest streak in franchise history, and the longest since 1988. With Early's departure that streak came to an end just two quality starts shy of tying the franchise record of 14 set in 1988. 

The apparent injury to Early would be a major blow to the Boston pitching depth, which has already seen 2025 Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet miss two months with left shoulder inflammation.

If Early does require a trip to the injured list, the Red Sox would be left to turn to veteran lefty Patrick Sandoval, who has not appeared in a major league game since 2024, or Brayan Bello, who has posted a 3.95 ERA in three starts since being optioned to Triple-A Worcester. 

Whether or not the injury to Early is serious enough to require a trip to the injured list still remains to be seen, though. We'll know more about the 24-year-old's condition when Tracy meets with the media after the game.

Among those ejected for their part in the fourth-inning fight was Tracy, who earned his first career ejection. Contreras, utility man Nate Eaton, and Washington's Monday night starter Miles Mikolas were also ejected for their roles in the fight. 

Contreras made Red Sox history with his ejection after throwing his helmet in Cavalli's direction, becoming the first player in franchise history to be ejected from back-to-back games. The veteran first baseman was ejected from Monday night's win over Washington after tapping his helmet to signal for a challenge after being rung up by first base umpire Nic Lentz. 

The Red Sox are 37-46 and in last place in the American League East. 

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