Red Sox Insights: Bregman’s Workouts Boost Early Amid Offensive Struggles
In Cincinnati, Connelly Early made a key start Sunday for the Boston Red Sox. The left-hander, four days shy of his 24th birthday, pitched into the sixth inning in a 3-2 loss to the Reds.
Early’s performance and offseason work
Early threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits. He issued two walks and struck out six batters.
He ran his pitch count to a career-high 96 pitches, with 61 strikes. Early induced seven swings-and-misses during the outing.
He credited offseason training at Club Nemesis in Arizona. Bregman’s workouts helped boost Early’s stamina and strength.
How the game unfolded
After five scoreless frames, Early walked the leadoff man in the sixth. He then struck out Elly De La Cruz for the second time in the game.
The lead evaporated two batters later when reliever Greg Weissert gave up a three-run homer to Eugenio Suárez. That swing decided the 3-2 result.
Context and development
Early was a late addition to Boston’s rotation after newcomer Johan Oviedo struggled this spring. He had impressed during camp and spring outings.
He entered camp at roughly 215 pounds after finishing last season near 196. The extra weight came with more volume, nutrition focus, and recovery support.
Early made four starts in September last season and posted a 2.33 ERA. He also started Game 3 of Boston’s AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees.
Manager Alex Cora said Early felt strong and merited an extended turn. Early became the youngest pitcher to start one of Boston’s first three games since Jeff Sellers in 1987.
Offensive struggles and bright spots
Boston’s offense produced little during the three-game series. The club stranded 30 runners and went 5-for-29 with runners in scoring position.
The team was 0-for-7 with RISP on Sunday and struck out 15 times during Saturday’s game. Cora pointed to missed opportunities and the need to regroup.
Wilyer Abreu stands out
Outfielder Wilyer Abreu supplied most of the offense. He went 6-for-13 in the series with two homers and two doubles.
On Sunday, Abreu worked a nine-pitch at-bat, fouling off multiple pitches before launching a two-run homer. Reds manager Terry Francona praised the plate appearance.
Cora noted Abreu’s work in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela and praised his offseason conditioning. He expects Abreu’s early surge to be sustainable.
Other lineup notes
Trevor Story finished 2-for-16 in the series, with seven strikeouts and one home run. Caleb Durbin went 0-for-12 with three strikeouts in Cincinnati.
Jarren Duran was picked off first base in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game. Willson Contreras recorded his first hit of the season on a hard liner.
Roman Anthony showed promise early but finished the series 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk.
Outfield alignment and roster moves
Cora outlined a flexible outfield rotation to keep players fresh. Most games will feature Roman Anthony in left, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Abreu in right.
Masataka Yoshida will appear as a starter in some games. When Yoshida starts, Cora plans shifts that keep Duran and Rafaela in the mix.
Cora said the rotation is complicated but manageable. He expects the plan to benefit players who have struggled with injuries or late-season fatigue.
Injury updates
Rehabbing pitchers Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are scheduled to throw four innings each. Their simulated game is set for Monday in Fort Myers, Florida.
Both are building their workloads as they return from surgeries last year.
Filmogaz.com will continue to monitor Early’s progress and Boston’s attempts to solve early offensive struggles. Changes to the rotation and lineup could follow if trends persist.
