What happened to Connelly Early? Why beloved Red Sox starter is headed to IL

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What happened to Connelly Early? Why beloved Red Sox starter is headed to IL originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox have begun to turn their season around recently, with the four-game sweep of the New York Yankees a good first step. But, they're still 37-47, and well behind in the AL East and even behind a good bit in the weak AL Wild Card.

Things are only getting worse for the Red Sox as well. Connelly Early, the beloved left-handed starter, was having a good 2026 season. But now, he's headed to the injured list. But why?

The Red Sox announced Wednesday morning that Early is hitting the injured list with left elbow inflammation, a worrying injury for the lefty starter.

Red Sox place Connelly Early on the injured list with a left elbow injury​

"The Red Sox today announced the following roster moves: Placed left-handed pitcher Connelly Early on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation," the Red Sox announced.

Early, the lefty youngster who's only 24 years old, is now headed to the injured list, and will miss some time, with a left elbow injury.

While the full extent of the injury isn't fully known yet, he will at least miss through the All-Star break, and maybe even a bit longer depending on how bad the diagnosis is.

MORE: Red Sox need middle infield help at trade deadline amid renewed postseason hope

This season, Early has a 3.44 ERA with a 7-5 record and 93 strikeouts in 17 starts. His most recent outing was a four-inning shutout with five strikeouts against the Washington Nationals on the final day of June.

But, he was pulled a little early from that game, and now has landed on the injured list on July 1 with an elbow injury that is cause for concern.

Now, with Early joining Patrick Sandoval, Garrett Crochet, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck on the injured list, the Red Sox will have to turn to Jake Bennett and the bullpen for the non-Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Payton Tolle starts.

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