NEW YORK -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito is expected to miss the entire postseason with an elbow injury, manager Alex Cora said Tuesday.

Giolito had already been ruled out for Boston's wild-card series against the New York Yankees before visiting a doctor in Alabama on Tuesday. Giolito received relatively good news -- tests revealed no structural damage, so he won't need surgery -- but Cora characterized his chances of pitching again in 2025 as "slim."

"[We'll] rule him out probably," Cora said.

Giolito would have started Game 3 of the wild-card series if the game is needed. Without him, the Red Sox are expected to start rookie left-hander Connelly Early .

Early, 23, made his major league debut Sept. 9. He found immediate success, posting a 2.33 ERA in 19 ⅓ innings

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