On Monday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora met with the media ahead of his team’s Marathon Monday game against the White Sox at Fenway Park.
He confirmed that Tuesday’s series opener against the Mariners will be the season debut of Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello, who has missed the first part of the 2025 regular season with a right shoulder strain.
“Just adding Brayan back to the mix tomorrow, how much could that help you guys out?” asked MLB.com’s Ian Browne.
“Oh, it helps,” said Cora. “You know, we’ve been two guys down. The other guys have done a good job, but obviously he’s obviously a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.
“Velocity’s up, which is very important for us. The action of his pitches are good, and we know what he can do. You know, obviously a tough team [in Seattle], but everyone’s a tough team in the big leagues, you know? But it’s a tough lineup - use your mix, and hopefully we can get five [innings] out of him and move on to the bullpen. But I’m excited about him.”
While Bello had a mixed bag of a season in 2024 after signing a six-year contract last March worth $55 million, Cora believes the 25-year-old gained valuable experience as he worked his way towards a 14-8 record with a 4.49 ERA.
“He learned a lot throughout the season,” said Cora. “Didn’t start as well. We reintroduced the four-seamer for lefties. I think that was very important, and he learned how to use it.
“Changed speeds, velocity was good throughout the season. And for him to go, you know, 30-plus starts, I think it was, right? That was very important. And now he understands, so just go out there and pitch. That’s the most important thing. Don’t try to overdo it, especially with the first one. Just get your reps, see how he goes. But like I said before, I’m happy that he’s back.”
Through his first 21 starts in 2024, Bello was sporting a 5.16 ERA through 111.2 innings pitched - an average of 5.1 innings pitched per outing. His record was 10-5.
Not atrocious, but certainly not the type of production you’d want to see from the pitcher seen as your No. 1 starter heading into the season opener last season.
But with those struggles came the learning Cora discussed on Monday.
In his final 9 starts in 2024, Bello went 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA, averaging an additional third-of-an-inning pitched per start through his final 50.2 innings pitched.
If the 2025 Red Sox can get this version of Bello into their rotation, consistently working into the 6th inning with a sub-3.10 ERA, it would be massive for a team that has seen inconsistencies from both its bullpen and offense through 23 games this season.
First pitch for Bello’s season debut on Tuesday at Fenway is set for 6:45 p.m. ET. He’ll go up against Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller (1-2, 3.43 ERA).
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