The Boston Red Sox have been a juggernaut within the American League during the last month and so they’re simply going to get higher.
Boston has been carried this season by its elite starting rotation, however it’s lacking a handful of arms in the meanwhile. Garrett Crochet, Ranger Surez, Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo are all on the Injured List proper now.
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Surez could be back on the mound as quickly as Sunday. It’s unclear at this second when Crochet, Early and Oviedo will have the ability to get again on the hill. But the membership did get some excellent news about Early on Friday.
The 24-year-old lefty hasn’t pitched in a game within the majors since June 30. On Friday, he took to the mound and tossed a one-inning facet session, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.
The Red Sox Lefty Is Throwing
“Left-hander Connelly Early, who’s been on the IL since July 1 with elbow inflammation, threw out to 120 feet and completed a light one-inning side session,” Smith wrote. “‘Just to get off the mound,”‘ [Chad Tracy] stated. ‘It was like, ‘Let’s get him off the mound for the primary time.’ The plan is for Early to throw a two-inning facet session the following time he will get off a mound.”
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Before landing on the Injured List, Early had a 3.44 ERA and a 93-to-34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 91 2/3 innings pitched.
The rookie has been everything the Red Sox could’ve asked for, and more, after earning a spot in the rotation out of Spring Training. Early wasn’t expected to land the job out of camp. In fact, Oviedo was the guy who was seemingly in line for a rotation spot all throughout camp. But Early pitched well enough to earn the spot and did everything the club asked for before landing on the Injured List.
While it’s unknown at this time when he will be able to officially come off the Injured List, he’s making clear progress and it shouldn’t too long before we see him again, barring a setback.
As good as the Red Sox have been over the last few weeks, they’re going to be even better when Early can take the mound again. Right now, Boston is 53-49 on the season. They’re firmly in the mix for a playoff spot and are just 6 1/2 games out of first place in the American League East. As this club gets healthier, they’re going to have even more of a chance of catching the Tampa Bay Rays in the standings.
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This article was initially printed on www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/onsi as Red Sox Rookie Connelly Early Takes Major Step Towards Return.
