Brayan Bello got through the first two innings of the Boston Red Sox's April 29 series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays with relative ease. He faced seven batters between both frames and allowed just one hit off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Bello struggled in the third inning, however, during which he allowed five hits, a walk and three runs, which gave the Blue Jays a two-run lead. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy left Bello in to start the fourth inning and he got off to a good start with two early outs. But he allowed a five-pitch walk to Brandon Valenzuela, and Tracy decided his afternoon outing was over.
Bello shook his head on the mound nearly the entire time Tracy approached him and continued while he was in the dugout after Greg Weissert stepped to the hill. After Weissert gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, adding another earned run to Bello's outing, the starting pitcher slammed his arms on the dugout railing before descending the stairs to the clubhouse.
His April 29 appearance is Bello's second straight of less than four frames. The last — and only — time he's logged more than five innings was on April 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tracy lifted him after 64 pitches, and the righty obviously thought he had more in the tank. Bello's ERA is up to 9.12 and his WHIP at 2.26 over 25.2 innings this season.
Brayan Bello's emotional moment in the dugout won't keep the Red Sox from moving him out of rotation when they get the chance
With Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo on the injured list, the Red Sox can't afford to be picky with their starting rotation options. Payton Tolle is already in the major leagues to replace Gray and top pitching prospect Jake Bennett is likely to be summoned to start on Friday against the Houston Astros. When Gray returns, however, Bello's rotation spot could be in jeopardy.
Former manager Alex Cora was patient with Bello as Boston hoped to transform him into a reliable starter. He'd posted solid numbers over a full season of play in 2024-25, with a 3.91 ERA across those two years. After one start, Tracy's patience for Bello seems much shorter.
In the past, Bello has struggled to manage his emotions in big moments, which has resulted in some rocky performances. Though Weissert's immediate home run suggests the Red Sox could've kept Bello in the game, his dugoutburst is a troubling reaction to another concerning outing.
If Bello's rough performances continue, the "run-prevention" Red Sox may have no choice but to move him to the bullpen and keep Tolle or Bennett in his rotation spot. Bello also has two minor league options on his contract, if Boston is thinking about an even more drastic change.
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