Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early leaves his start against the Washington Nationals after developing left elbow discomfort. Reports from multiple outlets say Early exits the game partway through, with his early departure coming after just four innings on Tuesday. Following the start, Boston places Early on the injured list, citing elbow inflammation. The injury creates a spot in the team’s rotation, and the Red Sox must determine who will replace Early for his time away. One report notes that while a replacement is required to fill the rotation vacancy, no decision has been made yet. The team’s next steps are therefore expected to center on confirming Early’s status on the IL and selecting a pitcher to take his place in the rotation. The coverage characterizes the situation as a disruption to Boston’s pitching plans, reflecting the immediate impact of the elbow issue on scheduled pitching roles.