Though the Red Sox as a team faded down the stretch in 2024, they received an encouraging late-season performance from Brayan Bello.
Saddled with the expectation of a six-year, $55 million contract extension signed in March and being named the Opening Day starter, Bello struggled out of the gate in 2024. He missed a couple of weeks with a lat strain in April and displayed unusually poor command, leading to 5.55 ERA through the end of June. Over the final three months, however, Bello recaptured the form of his strong 2023 campaign, posting a 3.66 ERA and striking out nearly a batter an inning.
With the Red Sox adding fire-balling left-hander Garrett Crochet to take the pressure off of Bello, hopes were high for the wiry right-hander as he entered his third full Major League Baseball season. Unfortunately, Bello’s spring debut was delayed after he was shut down for a few days with shoulder soreness, and it was officially revealed by MassLive’s Sean McAdam on Tuesday that the 25-year-old would not be ready for the start of the season.
“Red Sox announce that RHP Brayan Bello (shoulder) will not be on Opening Day roster,” McAdam tweeted. “Needs to continue to build arm strength; could be activated in early April.”
Fortunately, this injury does not appear that it will sideline Bello long-term, and the Red Sox have built up enough starting pitching depth to withstand his absence. Veteran right-hander Lucas Giolito will make his spring debut on Tuesday after missing all of 2024 following elbow surgery and appears in line for his first turn in the rotation.
The team has also gotten strong spring performances from right-handers Richard Fitts and Quinn Priester, each of whom has MLB experience and looks capable of holding down a rotation spot for a few weeks.
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