In a whirlwind of unexpected twists, the Boston Red Sox are shaking up their rotation as the season races toward its climax. For weeks, all eyes were on Dustin May, the hard-throwing right-hander acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a blockbuster trade at the end of July. May was slated to take the mound for Tuesday’s clash against the Oakland A’s in West Sacramento. Wednesday’s game, however, was the one shrouded in mystery—until now.
Enter Connelly Early, Boston’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, whose meteoric rise through the minors has just catapulted him into the big leagues. The left-handed pitching sensation, a fifth-round pick out of Virginia in 2023, is set to make his MLB debut on Wednesday, stepping into the spotlight sooner than anyone anticipated. The news broke on Tuesday via the Foul Territory podcast’s social media, sending shockwaves through Red Sox Nation. But the excitement of Early’s call-up comes with a bitter pill: Dustin May is headed to the injured list.
By Tuesday morning, Early was already in West Sacramento, a clear sign the Red Sox were bracing for the possibility of May’s absence. While the specifics of May’s injury remain undisclosed at the time of writing, the move to the IL marks another setback for the 27-year-old, whose 5.40 ERA in 28 1/3 innings with Boston has raised questions about the trade that brought him to Fenway. After logging over 100 innings this season—a career first in the majors—May’s body seems to have hit its limit, casting a shadow over his future with the team.
Meanwhile, Early’s ascent is nothing short of remarkable. The 23-year-old southpaw has been a strikeout machine in the minors, racking up 274 punchouts in 206 2/3 innings across 45 outings while maintaining a sparkling 3.32 ERA. His dominance has made him a standout in Boston’s farm system, and now he gets his shot against an A’s lineup that struggles more against lefties than right-handers—a matchup that could play right into Early’s hands.
Early’s call-up isn’t without complications. As he’s not yet on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox will need to make a corresponding move to clear space. Speculation swirls around potential candidates for the 60-day IL—perhaps Richard Fitts or Jordan Hicks—or whether a player will be designated for assignment. Whatever the decision, it’s a small price to pay for the chance to see a top prospect seize his moment.
With May sidelined, the Red Sox rotation is suddenly walking a tightrope. Another rookie, Payton Tolle, looms as a potential option for Wednesday’s game if Early’s debut shifts plans. However, Tolle has never pitched on four days’ rest as a pro, making a bullpen game a more likely scenario. If that happens, Tolle could take the ball on Friday against the New York Yankees, setting the stage for another high-stakes rookie debut.
Boston’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster of injuries, breakout performances, and unexpected hurdles. Losing May, a key piece of their trade deadline haul, stings all the more given his uneven performance in a Red Sox uniform. The team’s rotation now faces a precarious reality: two of their five starters are question marks at a critical juncture. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, Early’s call-up offers a glimmer of hope—a chance for a young pitcher to turn his lifelong dream into reality overnight.
As Red Sox fans hold their breath, all eyes will be on Connelly Early to see if he can deliver in his MLB debut. For a team navigating a season full of twists, this could be the start of something special—or just another chapter in an unpredictable saga.