WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tuesday brought the ultra-impressive MLB debut of left-handed rookie Connelly Early. Wednesday might bring the long-awaited Red Sox debut of Kyle Harrison, who was one of the key pieces acquired in the Rafael Devers trade in June.
Boston has promoted Harrison from Triple-A Worcester and optioned fellow southpaw Chris Murphy, sources told MassLive. Harrison will be active and could serve a long relief/piggyback role behind starter Payton Tolle as the Sox try to go for a three-game sweep over the Athletics. Tolle is expected to make a shortened start while pitching on regular (four days) rest for the first time this season.
Harrison, a former top pitching prospect who owns a 4.48 career ERA in 182 ⅔ major league innings with San Francisco, has logged 50 ⅓ innings over 12 starts since being traded on June 15. He has been up and down throughout that stretch but owns a 3.75 ERA, allowing 21 earned runs on 53 hits (5 homers) and recording 50 strikeouts. The Red Sox have considered Harrison as a rotation replacement on multiple occasions but had yet to call him up before now.
Harrison has been dealing with a minor ankle injury that required an MRI and an odd lead-up to this week. He made a three-inning start August 26, then didn’t pitch until Sunday, when he threw just a single inning in preparation for a potential promotion. If he does pitch Wednesday in Sacramento, he’ll do so close to home. Harrison attended De La Salle High School in Concord, an East Bay city located less than 70 miles from Sutter Health Park.
The Red Sox might have been leaning toward sending Early down after his debut in an effort to maximize roster flexibility but the 23-year-old will remain on the roster after a dazzling 11-strikeout performance in Tuesday’s win. Tolle, Early and Harrison will factor into the rotation mix down the stretch with Dustin May joining Richard Fitts and a handful of others on the injured list Tuesday.
Murphy, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday’s win, has a 2-0 record and 2.81 ERA in 25 ⅔ innings in the big leagues this season. He pitched three times since rejoining the big league team Friday in Arizona.
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