Red Sox encouraged by MRI on Connelly Early’s left elbow as he starts stint on injured list

One day after Connelly Early left his start due to elbow discomfort, the Red Sox placed the lefthander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. Still, an MRI proved somewhat encouraging, as Early was diagnosed with posterior elbow inflammation but no structural damage.

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Early won’t throw in the coming days while waiting for symptoms to subside, but the Sox were hopeful he might not be sidelined for too long.

“We got some good news there,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “Hopefully we can get him back up throwing soon.”

The decision to put Early (7-5, 3.44 ERA in 17 starts spanning 91⅔ innings) on the IL came before his MRI. The Sox already were looking to lighten his workload over the final stretch preceding the All-Star break by limiting him to one additional start. As such, the Sox viewed the decision to shut him down as a no-brainer.

With Early unavailable on the forthcoming road trip to play the Angels, White Sox, and Mets, Tracy said the Sox were still working to choose a rotation fill-in. He identified lefthander Patrick Sandoval (rehabbing from Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2024) and righthander Brayan Bello as candidates.

Bello, entering a start on Wednesday night for Triple-A Worcester, had a 3.95 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 13⅔ innings since being sent down to the minors. Sandoval, since resuming his rehab assignment in early June, has a 2.70 ERA with 11 strikeouts and five walks across five outings (13⅓ innings) in Double-A Portland and Worcester. Sandoval will start for Portland on Saturday, logging roughly 70 pitches, after which the Sox will decide on whether he might get a start in the big leagues.

“He’s been fairly competitive and he feels physically good and feels good about where his stuff’s at,” said Tracy. “It’s just a matter of getting the [pitch count] to an area where you feel like he can take down a major league start.”

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In addition to placing Early on the IL, the team designated reliever Tommy Kahnle for assignment in order to summon fresh arms to their bullpen. The team activated lefthander Jovani Morán (on the IL since June 6 with left elbow inflammation) and recalled lefthander Alec Gamboa from Worcester. Morán allowed one run on two walks while striking out three over 1⅔ innings, while Gamboa allowed two runs in 2⅓ innings.

Red Sox top prospect Franklin Arias, a shortstop with Portland who entered Wednesday hitting .328/.407/.594 with 16 homers, and top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson, who has a 1.07 ERA and 34 percent strikeout rate in 12 starts for High-A Greenville and Portland this year, will represent the Sox in the All-Star Futures Game in Philadelphia later this month. In Baseball America’s updated July rankings, Arias was tabbed as the No. 3 prospect in the sport, while Eyanson ranked at No. 33.

With their middle infield depth ravaged by injuries, the Sox made a minor trade, acquiring infielder Brett Harris from the Athletics for minor league righthanded pitcher Ben Hansen. Harris both turned 28 and was designated for assignment last week. The righthanded hitter had gone 0 for 4 in the big leagues, but has hit .336/.441/.537 in 37 Triple-A games this year while playing the corner infield spots and, occasionally, second base. Harris was optioned to Worcester. Hansen had a 4.75 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 14 walks in 41⅔ innings for Greenville.

Another middle infielder, Nick Sogard, is slated to start a rehab assignment with Portland on Thursday after being sidelined since May 31 with an oblique strain. He’ll also play Saturday and Sunday, with the possibility of being activated next week.

“I’m feeling good and ready to go,” said Sogard.

The announced temperature at first pitch at 1:36 p.m. was 95 degrees, the highest reading at first pitch at Fenway since July 24, 2022. Catcher Connor Wong said he lost six pounds behind the plate.

“Two jerseys, countless waters, some Pedialyte,” Wong said of his afternoon. “It was a hot one.”

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