Red Sox promote lefty Connelly Early for debut vs A's

Connelly Early, a 23 year old left handed pitching prospect, was promoted to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and is expected to make his major league debut that night against the Oakland Athletics, according to team and media reports. The move comes as Boston placed right hander Dustin May on the injured list with an undisclosed issue, opening an active roster spot and deepening concerns about a rotation already stretched late in the regular season.

Early, a 2023 fifth round pick, had been scratched from a scheduled start for Triple A Worcester on Sunday at the request of the major league club so he would be available for a call up, Worcester manager Chad Tracy said. "The Red Sox wanted him not to pitch, and they are probably dealing with stuff up there, and they said they just do not want him to throw. So he is staying available," Tracy said. Early had been viewed as a likely candidate for promotion this week after strong results across Double A Portland and Triple A Worcester.

Boston’s decision follows a season in which the club has leaned heavily on young arms. Payton Tolle was called up last week, and manager Alex Cora said Tolle is being managed carefully. "Probably he does...