Red Sox injury woes worsen with surprising Brayan Bello news

The Boston Red Sox's battle to keep pitchers healthy rages on as another one of Boston's starters has landed on the injured list.

The Red Sox announced that Brayan Bello has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to April 21, with lat tightness.

Boston is down four starting pitchers — Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock and Bello are all out of commission in the early going of the season. Because the campaign is so young, the Red Sox are being exceedingly careful with their players' recoveries. Pivetta has already overstayed his stint on the 15-day IL and Boston is taking its time working him back into the rotation.

Giolito was supposed to serve as the Red Sox's "ace" and primary innings-eater. Bello stepped up to lead the rotation as Boston's No. 1 starter in his absence, and he'd been on a roll until news of his injury broke. The righty has pitched to a 3.04 ERA over 26.2 innings with 26 strikeouts and seven walks.

Brayan Bello placed on the 15-day injured list, Red Sox have two starting pitchers remaining

Bello seemed to hit his stride in his most recent outing. On April 19, the 24-year-old pitched six innings, allowed just one hit and fanned seven batters. Bello had been hit around in a few of his earlier starts this season and he let up two home runs against the A's, but the young hurler has tightened up in recent appearances.

Boston has called up right-hander Zack Kelly to fill Bello's spot on the roster. Kelly has a zero ERA in six appearances with the Woo Sox and he's struck out 10 batters. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has said in previous pressers that Josh Winckowski will hold a spot in the rotation until some of Boston's other starters return from injury, and Cooper Criswell has made a few appearances late in the rotation.

Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck are the last pitchers standing from the Red Sox's starting rotation. Cora stated that he hopes Bello will return after his 15-day stint, but the same was said for Pivetta. Hopefully, Cora's prediction is correct, because the Red Sox can't afford to lose another arm long-term.

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