By Tiffany Williams –
The Red Sox shuffled their roster Tuesday with a big debut on tap.
Boston called up lefty prospect Connelly Early from Triple-A Worcester, and the 23-year-old got the ball against the A’s in his Major League debut. Early, ranked as the club’s No. 6 prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com, has been dominant in the minors this year, going 10-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 100.1 innings between Double-A Portland and Worcester. The Virginia native, a fifth-round pick in 2023, wore No. 71 and looked the part. He went five innings on 90 pitches — 61 for strikes — allowing five hits, one walk, and striking out 11.
To make room, the Sox placed right-hander Dustin May on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to September 6, with right elbow neuritis. May, acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline, has stumbled in Boston, posting a 5.40 ERA in six outings. He went 4.85 with L.A. before the move.
The club also recalled infielder Vaughn Grissom from Worcester, then immediately shifted him to the 60-day IL with plantar fasciitis. Grissom, 24, has been a steady bat for the WooSox, hitting .270 with 24 doubles, 13 homers, and 48 RBI in 96 games. He’s played parts of three big-league seasons with Atlanta and Boston, hitting .255 in 95 career games.
Early now becomes the latest young arm tossed into Boston’s rotation as the team limps through September battling injuries and inconsistency.