Red Sox Receive Encouraging Injury Update on Connelly Early

The Boston Red Sox and their fans can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Earlier this week,MLB.com's Ian Browne reported that Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early was set to get a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas after being placed on the 15-day injured list. MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported Friday that the visit confirmed the initial diagnosis of posterior elbow inflammation, alleviating concerns that the injury was more serious.

Connelly Early's visit to Dr. Keith Meister confirmed the diagnosis of posterior elbow inflammation/irritation and nothing more serious, per source.



With elbows, always a level of concern. But that's good news for Early and the Red Sox.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 10, 2026

Early, 24, departed 61 pitches into last Tuesday's start against the Washington Nationals because of left elbow discomfort. Boston's decision to place the rookie southpaw on the IL came a couple of hours before he underwent an MRI, as the club felt it was best to play it safe with only one turn remaining in the rotation before the All-Star break.

Through 17 starts this season, Early is 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 9.1 K/9 rate over 91.2 innings. He tossed four scoreless frames before exiting his last outing, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five. The Red Sox ultimately lost the game 8-1.

All five of Connelly Early Ks from tonight's game pic.twitter.com/IPbx3e0dci

— Lucas Parmenter (@Lucasparmenter0) July 1, 2026

Boston's rotation had been humming before Early's premature exit, which ended the club's streak of 12 consecutive quality starts. The Red Sox are now missing three of their top starters, as fellow left-handers Garrett Crochet (out since April with shoulder/lat issues) and Ranger Suárez (left groin strain) are also on the IL.

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Despite the injuries, the Red Sox are in a solid position heading into next week's All-Star break. They have won six straight games and are now just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

Since Early's IL stint began on July 1, the earliest he can return is July 17, when the Red Sox resume play after the All-Star break with a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. Following that series are three-game sets against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, two more divisional matchups that could help dictate Boston's trade deadline direction.

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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM.