Alex Cora Confirms Another Start For Promising Red Sox Rookie

The Boston Red Sox will give a recent arrival at least one more look this week.

Connelly Early gave Boston another strong outing on Tuesday, allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings in his Fenway Park debut. The 23-year-old rookie has amassed 18 strikeouts to just one walk in his first two MLB starts.

It’s thus no surprise that Early will stay in the rotation. Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed during Wednesday’s radio interview on “WEEI Afternoons” that Early will start Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Red Sox have spent the season seeking solid back-end rotation options behind Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello. They released a struggling Walker Buehler and sent deadline acquisition Dustin May to the injured list after he posted a 5.40 ERA in six appearances.

Payton Tolle followed an electric debut with two shaky road outings, leading the Red Sox to audition Early. The southpaw has allowed one run in two starts, dominating hitters with a 17.6 swinging strike percentage.

Cora played it safe with his neophyte on Tuesday, pulling Early with a 1-0 lead after 80 pitches before he could face star Athletics slugger Brent Rooker for the third time. Greg Weissert allowed an inherited runner to score and permitted the game’s decisive run in a 2-1 loss.

After losing four of their last five games, the Red Sox slid to the American League’s final Wild Card spot and lead the streaking Cleveland Guardians by just 2.5 games. Sunday’s AL East matchup against Tampa Bay will be a crucial showcase for Early, who could earn another start in the regular season’s final series against the Detroit Tigers.