The Red Sox will carry one of their two top left-handed pitching prospects on the Opening Day roster. Boston optioned Payton Tolle to minor league camp this evening, alongside righties Tyler Uberstine and Zack Kelly.
Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News reports that Connelly Early has been informed he’ll break camp. Chris Cotillo of MassLive adds that righty Johan Oviedo is also going to be on the active roster, leaving some questions about how the Sox will order their rotation.
Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray are lined up for the first two games of their opening series in Cincinnati. Ranger Suárez and Brayan Bello are expected to start the first two games of next week’s set in Houston, so one of Early or Oviedo will start on Sunday against the Reds. If the Red Sox don’t want to run a six-man rotation, they could use an Early/Oviedo tandem start or have the latter work out of the bullpen to begin the year.
Early and Tolle each debuted late last season. Tolle throws a bit harder and places a little more highly on most prospect rankings. Early found more small sample success and was tabbed to start Game 3 of last fall’s Wild Card Series against the Yankees. Both pitchers showed well this spring. Early struck out 16 while allowing only four runs (three earned) over 17 innings. Tolle fanned 13 opponents across 10 2/3 frames of three-run ball.
Oviedo, acquired from the Pirates over the offseason in a trade built around rookie outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, pitched 11 1/3 innings of two-run ball this spring. He struck out 14 but struggled with his command, issuing six walks and hitting a batter. Oviedo entered camp as the favorite for the fifth starter role after turning in a 3.57 ERA with a 25% strikeout rate over nine starts last year. He had missed all of 2024 and the first half of ’25 due to Tommy John surgery and a subsequent lat injury.
Early and Tolle are each rookie eligible and meet the prospect criteria for the Prospect Promotion Incentive. Unless the Sox recall Tolle within the first couple weeks of the season, they wouldn’t be able to net a draft choice if he wins Rookie of the Year. Early could land the Sox a pick if he holds his MLB roster spot all year and pitches well enough to meet the awards threshold: a Rookie of the Year win or top three Cy Young finish within his first three seasons.
Have to imagine Early is starting if they have him up, with Oviedo in the pen to follow up or give innings elsewhere. Surprised to see Kelly go down but carrying Early and Watson meant someone had to go.
Agree on the Kelly demotion. Thought he was a lock.
Meow – Wouldn’t be surprised if Early is close to an extension. You heard it here first!
Agree Fever. You get the credit if it happens but also the Bronx cheers should it not. I’m not posting much as I just had major back surgery. They’re moving me hopefully today to the place that helped my wife. I’m posting this not for get well wishes but so all know why I’m not posting. I try to read the posts but it’s been difficult to comprehend (meds) and post. Go Sox!
Many teams are locking up players right now. The next CBA will grandfather in existing contracts, making them exempt from the new Salary Cap/Threshold. Thats why we’ve seen a rash of extension. Dont be surprised if Abreu, Tolle or Durbin get extended either. (Not all, but expect one or two in the next month)
Wishing you a speedy recovery all the same, Dewey. Go Sox!
Thank you!
FPG
An extension would very much surprise me at this juncture,way to early in his career. This time next year ,if he pitches well definitely. Credit to you if it does happen , without question. Early slated to start Sunday with Oviedo in for relief. I must admit this pitching staff has got me excited for the season.
Abreau should be the next guy to get extended I believe. The more they wait ,the more $$ it will cost them. I like Abreu to be near all-star level, maybe a little better than Trot Nixon ,along those lines.A solid MLB contributor on a playoff level team.
Love Trot but I would say his ceiling is significantly higher than Trots ever was. Potential 30HR guy in the heart of the lineup on a big market playoff contender annually should get him multiple all star game nods if he can stay healthy. Again, I’m a huge trot fan and it’s not a bad comp but he never sniffed an all star game.
Actually 2003 Trot absolutely deserved an all star game invite… if not a start.
SP
Nixon was the 7th overall pick in the 1993 draft. If Abreu can duplicate what he did from 2001 to 2003 that would be fantastic. He never got to 30 hmrs or made an all-star team but he was very very good. He also produced at a high level in the postseason. Nixon averaged approximately .280 ba 27 hmrs,& 90 RBI in those 3 seasons. I would take those numbers for Arbeu. Nixon was a solid offensive contributor batting in the heart of the order for a playoff team and he never made an all-star team. A Dirt- Dawg. A 2024 Red Sox Hall of Famer.
You don’t gotta sell me on Trot I promise. All I’m saying is Wilyers ceiling is much higher than what trot did for his career statistically on offense and defense and I’m expecting more than 3 solid years. Trot is a legend in my books
Note: I am not disagreeing on anything you said. I’m co-signing it with a bit higher expectations statistically for Wilyer.
SP
Believe me , I hope you are correct on Abreu. The soon to be 27 years old Abreu is in his prime and ,if all goes well will be very productive for another 5/6 yrs at his highest level. He is just about the same age as Nixon when he ripped off his best seasons. I also am expecting a lot from Abreu this year,I also expected a lot from Nixon after he established himself. I’m super excited for Wyler this year. Maybe I was expecting more from Trot as a 7th overall draft pick. At the time I did not like the trade Bloom made in trading Christian Vazquez for Abreau. It has certainly been an excellent trade he should get credit for. Especially if Abreu turns into the consistent player we both think he can be.
Don’t forget Trot was a clubhouse guy and fan favorite due to his hustling. Abreu has the potential to be the second best RFer since the 70s behind Evans and who knows what his ceiling with the bat is? If he adjusts to lefties, he has few limits.
Sounds like a good excuse to watch a lot of Sox baseball Dewey! Although, hopefully they dont get you worked up to throw things at the TV and set your progress back…
Hope youre back to normal fast.
Dewey – I’m not looking for credit, it would make me happy just having him extended.
Sorry to hear about your surgery, I missed you my friend. Get well soon!
I’ve been away at ST, that’s why I haven’t been around this week.
Not sure there are any extensions given out this year. Not based on KC. I can’t see Early or Tolle being all that desperate for an extension given their known ceilings and where they are currently at in development. I could see Wilyer if he wants to do a team friendly deal. Mayer if he has a healthy productive year. Durbin if he clicks. Also, there’s another wave of position players on the cusp of breaking camp next year that could have multiple candidates for extensions.
How about Whitlock? There’s one I would be happy with
Abreu I believe said no.
He had brief discussions, a couple of years ago, but that doesnt mean he’s not interested.
nesn.com/boston-red-sox/news/wilyer-abreu-drops-up…
Thanks!
Fever- If you are CBO of the Sox. Would you try to sign Connelly to a long-term extension at this early date? Whose comps would you use? And being fair to both Early and the Red Sox, what does the numbers look like in terms of year and total dollars?
…impossible task. Good luck!
Anywhere from 4/20 to 5/60. Neither make sense
SP
An extension for Early just doesn’t make sense right now from the Sox perspective. Not enough information ( innings). Pitchers , especially young pitchers are so prone to injuries. Let’s see if he can earn it this year. Hopefully he pitches great and let them revisit a contract next year.
Yep pretty much. There is no extension that makes sense. Big fan of the kid. Let him pitch! No service time manipulation no head games. Go Sox!
SP
I’m a little concerned with everyones assumption , including my own about Roman Anthony. I cannot remember a more hyped player with assumed greatness the Sox have had. ( Nomar?).. I’m seeing , all-star,MVP elite player comps. What are we to think of if he starts slow and struggles?? Certainly would not be the 1st heralded young player to do that. Maybe we should temper our expectations slightly. It’s an awful lot to put on a 21 year olds plate. Hey you’re the best player on the team ,lead us to the promise land. Hopefully that doesn’t happen. Hopefully with our strong pitching staff will will be able to overcome any struggles the offense may incur. Not to worried about the spring training ERAS of most of our starters. (to much) Go Sox
Oh man I am in the same boat. Gotta pinch myself to believe that WE finally have the phenom. The things that make me retain some confidence is that his hit/contact tool is becoming his best tool, the power is top of the charts, his eye is undeniably elite, watching him in the WBC showed me he can handle the stage, he’s elevating the ball… man oh man I’m hyped!
Ten – Ideally I’d prefer waiting until after this season.
Its not surprising after the reports about particularly Suarez not being properly up to speed from the WBC.
Early can be up for a brief start to the season without sacrificing PPI eligibility for next season anyways, right? Just needs to maintain ROY eligibility for the following year. Not sure how many days that is when you include his prior call-up though
The pitchers have not exactly impressed in spring training. Just saw Suarez got pounded. I think the more potential starters the better so if someone has a slow start when the season starts they have an easy depth piece to pop in. I assume they are still working on mechanics and building up their arm strength. Hopefully no hidden injuries.
I am surprised Watson made the team based on his spring. Seemed like better options, but if they saw potential I guess it doesn’t hurt to take a longer look.
This year’s pitching staff has loads of talent. It will be an interesting problem to manage the workload for everyone. I do envision six starters getting their share of innings over the course of the season. The important thing is to have them all healthy at the end of the season.
I really feel like if the Sox don’t get out of the gate quickly, the heat is really going to be on A. Cora. He has to juggle the rotation with potentially a couple of young pitchers in the BP AND manage the logjam in the outfield. In addition, T. Casas will be back playing in AAA at the end of the month, and if he is as good as he repeatedly says he is, Cora is going have to figure out what to do with him. It appeared Cora got “too cute” at times moving players all over the field and up and down the batting order. He must feel like a kid at Christmas time looking at all of these “presents” under the tree. I hope he lets guys establish themselves unlike he did with K. Campbell, especially the youngsters like C. Durbin and M. Mayer. I am somewhat optimistic that he has already stated R. Anthony will lead off and play LF or DH every day.
Don’t forget the history of jerking around Rafael Devers from one position to another and the schizoid use of Ceddane from CF to 2B back to CF and just the overabundance of various guys to cover the infield spots, mostly Quad-A types. It’s very weird and unorthodox and I can’t see how it helps their young players solidify themselves.
S-o-b:
Devers was never jerked around preventing him from solidifying himself as a young player. The problem was actually bloom leaving him at 3B so long instead of shifting him across the diamond to 1B like shouldve been done back around 2020 or 2021 that he became entitled and thought he was actually a 3B with his iron glove amd wild arm
I for one have no issue with Diva Devers gone.
Fully agree GA. he became a spoiled rich kid once the extension was inked.
GASoxFan
S-o-b:
The problem was actually bloom leaving him at 3B so long instead of shifting him across the diamond to 1B
================
I didn’t get the sob comment either. Devers never strayed from 3b iirc.
But you have to play the cards that you are dealt. In this case, with Casas on the horizon, Devers was unlikely to make the move to 1B.
“The history of jerking around Rafael Devers from one position to another”
Devers only played one position. You didn’t notice?
Joe, in all fairness, in that scenario either Casas becomes a DH or gets traded as being blocked for a position of need. Its not like he was a lights out defender at 1B himself.
Garcia was just shipped out as being blocked. They didnt play, say rafaela at 2b, just because you wanted the unproven prospect to take the position the established player needed to be in, and instead force a roug peg in a square hole.
The correct moves wouldve been devers to 1B, Casas trade bait or dh.
Concur w J. Brady- willful ignorance / absence of situational awareness often interferes with objective reality based observations in these venues.
Campbell was just unable to handle the pressure and at his age and experience level, not many can. His glove at second was horrible so they gave him an opportunity in center primarily because of the contract. His failure to shine there was not his fault but what was, was his inability to adjust to how pitchers adjusted to him. He’ll be back when he’s ready.
Campbell was doing well last year until he got a rib injury. After that, things went downhill quickly.
I wonder who the Red Sox are playing against us. Congrats on Early.
Chapman/Whitlock/Slaten/Weissert/Watson/Coulombe/Oviedo
Leaves one spot for Patrick Sandoval or Kutter Crawford
I thought Tolle was better than Early. Both are solid unfortunately Boston future looks bright however I don’t trust Gray. Go Yankees!!!
Tolle has a higher ceiling but Early can help right now.
Tolle has a lot more development required. IMHO, Early is probably exactly what he is going to be.
I have a feeling they will force Sandoval into some action once ready in hope they can build up some trade value and ship him off somewhere. With Crochet/Suarez/Gray/Bello/Early as the top 5 and Oviedo, Kutter, and Tolle as guys who can chip in, I’m sure they aren’t thrilled about paying him almost $13 M to hang out with the WooSox or having to DFA somebody else they could’ve controlled past this year to keep him in Boston.
Dirty- I think they need to see how everyone pans out during the first month of the season. Sandoval could still be of use if he is healthy and able to pitch well. Hopefully they won’t need that additional arm and he showcases enough talent to gain some value.
That’s a good counterpoint, we won’t know how anybody is going to look until we see them. I suppose my thinking is contingent upon everyone 1-5 looking reasonably close to expectations, Crawford not being super rusty, and Oviedo looking at least decent. That’s a lot of things to go right simultaneously, so I’m probably being overly optimistic there.
On the other hand, my rationale was also partially based on the expectation that our cheap decision makers will want to make getting rid of Sandoval’s remaining salary a priority unless several guys get hurt in quick succession and all of a sudden he’s forced into a big role. That part I feel confident in believing.
Dirty: It’s almost Opening Day… We should all be “overly optimistic!” Play Ball!
I agree that they will likely want to shed some salary if they can and try to pick up a prospect or two. They certainly should have enough pitching to allow for a trade or two and I am going to stay optimistic and look forward to watching them have a big year.
Absolutely, spring is a time for hope! We can be realistic and cynical in July, lol.
Dirty- then again, we *are* Red Sox fans… functionally one step above Randy Quaids character in the major league movies.
A certain level of cynicism was baked into our DNA over an 80 year stretch. 😉
When I say I am staying optimistic that may be a slight exaggeration. I was hoping they would win every spring training game by at least 20 points. Was that too much to ask?
Uncle – the reason they didnt do it was you set your goal too low and they felt too insulted to rise to the occasion.
30 runs is the magic number.
Poor Josh Winchowski has been lost in the shuffle.
Winckowski is in Blue Jays camp so i don’t think he minds…
Rsox – agreed. Winckowski is much better off elsewhere as his upside was a much lower ceiling than what they have. He would not have made the 26-man. His WHIP was always too high as in he just just put way too many people on base, and not enough swing-and miss in his game.
Congrats to Early, he is a talented pitcher & will only get better with having the time in the bigs! Tolle seems like to me to be more of a relief type pitcher…time will tell.
Agreed. Tolle seems like he has the makeup to be a strong Closer
This is a good problem to have.
Mean – Agreed! You can never have too much pitching! Early has earned a spot in the rotation, so I am glad the Red Sox brass is giving it to him.
I really doubt either are getting the Red Sox a PPI though, unless if Reliever Of Year if added and the Tolle wins the Reliever or Year (which I’ve seen some Red Sox fans talk about).
I hope his means Tolle is the opening day starter for the WooSox. I have tickets for the game.
For whom the bell Tolle
I hope Connelly Early is better than Arnold Early.
They spell their last names differently but I certainly agree lol.
it’s up to the kid now Early just named the game three starter. If he can pitch like he is able too he can force the issue and don’t count him out as rookie of the year candidate if he starts all season.
At least they’re playing “throw **** against the wall to see what sticks” with good players this year.