WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tuesday night featured a stellar MLB debut from rookie left-hander Connelly Early. Just a day later, the Red Sox are set to unveil another arm, as Kyle Harrison has been called up for his long-awaited Boston debut.
According to sources, the Red Sox promoted Harrison from Triple-A Worcester while optioning fellow lefty Chris Murphy. Harrison is expected to be available in a long relief or piggyback role behind starter Payton Tolle on Wednesday as Boston looks to complete a three-game sweep of the Athletics. Tolle, pitching on regular rest for the first time this season, is slated for a shorter outing.
Harrison, acquired in June’s Rafael Devers trade with San Francisco, was once considered one of baseball’s top pitching prospects. Across 182 ⅔ big league innings with the Giants, he posted a 4.48 ERA. Since joining the Red Sox system, he’s made 12 starts (50 ⅓ innings), striking out 50 batters while carrying a 3.75 ERA. Though Boston has mulled using him as a rotation replacement multiple times since the trade, this will be his first appearance with the big-league club.
The 23-year-old’s call-up follows a peculiar stretch. After a three-inning start on August 26, Harrison didn’t pitch again until Sunday, when he threw just one inning to stay fresh for a potential promotion. He’s also dealt with a minor ankle issue in recent weeks. If he takes the mound Wednesday, it will be a homecoming of sorts — Harrison is a graduate of De La Salle High School in Concord, less than 70 miles from Sutter Health Park.
While the Red Sox initially considered optioning Early after his debut to preserve roster flexibility, his electric 11-strikeout performance Tuesday ensured he’d remain in the majors. He, Harrison, and Tolle are all expected to play key roles in Boston’s pitching plans down the stretch, with Dustin May, Richard Fitts, and others sidelined by injuries.
Murphy, who tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday, will head back to Worcester despite solid work this season. The southpaw owns a 2-0 record and 2.81 ERA over 25 ⅔ innings, including three appearances since being recalled last Friday.
