Bryan Bello’s demotion to Triple-A hit him hard.
The 27-year-old was sent down to Worcester after his latest rough outing for the Red Sox, in which he gave up eight earned runs over five innings in a lost to the Orioles on June 4.
“It was a really tough day,” Bello told reporters via translator. “I had a bad outing as you all know. We were getting ready to travel, and the trip right now in New York is a family trip and we were all set up to get ready to go up there. So, when I got the unfortunate news, I even shed some tears, got a little emotional because like I said before, I have so much love and passion for this game and to get that bad news was really tough. But we’re better today.”
Bello, in the midst of a six-year, $55 million deal signed before 2024, put together a 2-6 record record with a 6.34 ERA — the worst mark of his career — and a 1.67 WHIP.
The Dominican Hurler seemed to be turning the corner before the disaster outing against Baltmore. He was sent to the bullpen, operating as a long reliever following an opener, allowing just two earned runs in 25 1/3 innings (0.74 ERA) in the role.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told reporter he’d asked Bell to “fall in love with baseball” again.
The hope is, a start with the Woo Sox on Thursday can help set a key rotation arm back on track.
In Bello’s place, the Red Sox have called up left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa.
But that call-up could be temporary, as the Red Sox now have a vacant starting-rotation spot. Pitching prospect Jake Bennett is the leading candidate to take Bello’s spot. Bello was slated to make his next start on Tuesday, meaning the Red Sox might make their decision then.
The Red Sox need some help anyway they can get it. They sit dead last in the AL East, having a record of 27-36 entering Monday’s slate.
The Red Sox have struggled in the pitching department after ace Garrett Crochet went on the 15-day IL on April 29; a setback during a live throwing session saw him go onto the 60-day IL.
