Young lefty builds momentum with two scoreless innings as Boston falls late
Spring results don’t always tell the full story, but if the Boston Red Sox are looking for signs of progress from one of their most intriguing young arms, Monday offered plenty - even in a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The final line will show a loss after Jonny DeLuca’s two-out, two-run single in the ninth erased Boston’s late lead, but the bigger takeaway from Charlotte Sports Park centered on left-hander Connelly Early and another steady step forward in his push to prove he belongs in the big-league rotation conversation.
Early tossed two scoreless innings, continuing a spring theme of attacking hitters and filling the strike zone while showcasing a slightly firmer fastball after adding 15 pounds in the offseason.
He faced just seven batters, retiring six, and again looked comfortable pitching with tempo - exactly what Boston hoped to see after challenging him to come into camp stronger.
“It’s all part of the process,” Early said postgame. “Just keep building up.”
Manager Alex Cora has made it clear the organization is focused less on results and more on growth areas like durability and controlling the running game, but the Early returns (pun intended) have been encouraging.
Pitcher Connelly Early walks off the field during Triple-A Worcester's game at Polar Park on Aug. 8, 2025. (WooSox Photo/Ashley Green/USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images)“If he can accomplish that, then it’s going to be fun,” Cora said. “Very excited about him.”
Early echoed that focus on routine and physical progress after his outing.
“I felt good today,” Early told the media. “Body felt good, did a good job getting here a little bit early and staying in my routine and I felt comfortable out there."
“He was good,” Cora agreed. “There’s a few things as a young pitcher we want him to work on, slowing down the running game. I thought he did a good job with the baserunner, mixing up his look and all that. Stuff was really good. It was a good start for him, now we just go.”
The outing continued a steady climb for the 23-year-old, who flashed promise late last season and understands the opportunity in front of him even with a crowded depth chart.
“It motivated me a ton, obviously having them trust me with the ball out there in that start was really big,” said Early. “Obviously it didn’t really go the way I would’ve wished, but sometimes baseball happens and it makes you hungry for the next year trying to get back into that same position.”
Boston’s offense stayed quiet most of the afternoon outside of Mickey Gasper’s go-ahead RBI triple in the ninth, while Carlos Narvaez chipped in a 2-for-3 day and several relievers turned in scoreless work before the late Rays rally.
But for a team evaluating the foundation of its pitching depth, the afternoon still felt like a positive step - even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it.
Feb 17, 2026; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early (71) gets his photo taken during media day at JetBlue Park. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.