It’s been a season to forget thus far for Brayan Bello.
The 27-year-old is 2-5 with a 7.16 ERA, totaling 30 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 10 home runs allowed across 44 innings. Among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched, Bello’s 35 earned runs allowed are the second-most in baseball.
In total, the Red Sox are 2-7 in games he has pitched.
However, Bello has looked like a completely different pitcher when working behind an opener.
In his seven traditional starts, he has allowed 33 earned runs over 30.2 innings, posting a 9.68 ERA. Opponents are batting .370 against him in those outings, while he has also surrendered 10 home runs and issued 18 walks.
In his two bulk-relief appearances following an opener, though, Bello has allowed just two earned runs across 13.1 innings (1.35 ERA). Opponents are hitting only .170 against him, and he has yet to allow a home run in that role while walking just two batters.
With Bello scheduled to face the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park, will Boston consider using an opener again?
Interim manager Chad Tracy joined WEEI’s Rich and Ken with Ted Johnson on Wednesday afternoon and said the possibility is very much being discussed (full interview below).
“There is definitely thinking of it, yeah. We’ve been pretty open over the last few that, depending on where the bullpen is at and how beat up it is, it definitely is a factor in making that decision,” Tracy said. “But we’re talking about it, and we have for the last three outings. Deciding case-by-case. And we’ll talk about it again and make sure Brayan knows first if we’re going to do that or not. But we’re definitely in discussions about it.”
Time could be running out for Bello to prove he belongs in the big-league rotation.
Ace Garrett Crochet is expected back within the next couple of weeks, and the rest of Boston’s rotation has continued to produce. Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle have combined for a 2.71 ERA this season, while Bello still has minor league options remaining.
