NEW YORK — The Red Sox roster for this week’s AL Wild Card series is officially set.
Young left-handers Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison and Payton Tolle are among the 12 pitchers who will be available when the Red Sox face the Yankees this week at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox will also carry 14 position players, including two catchers and a five-player bench.
Right-hander Lucas Giolito, who Alex Cora announced yesterday is dealing with elbow soreness, is not on the roster. Neither is lefty Chris Murphy, who was optioned on Sunday and is not yet eligible to be recalled, nor injured pitchers Dustin May, Brennan Bernardino or Jordan Hicks.
With Giolito unavailable Early and Harrison project as the top candidates to start Game 3 if the best-of-three series goes that far. Early has enjoyed a strong showing since being called up in September, posting a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings over his first four MLB starts.
Harrison has posted a 3.00 ERA in three big league appearances for Boston, including two starts.
Garrett Crochet will get the start for Boston in Game 1. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 p.m.
Red Sox ALWC Roster
Pitchers (12): Brayan Bello, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, Zack Kelly, Steven Matz, Justin Slaten, Payton Tolle, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Wilson
Catchers (2): Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong
Infielders (4): Alex Bregman, David Hamilton, Nathaniel Lowe, Trevor Story
Outfielders (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida
Infielder/Outfielders (4): Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard
