BOSTON -- For a while, there’s been a debate surrounding Brayan Bello.
The righty has been so effective since moving to the role of bulk reliever, it’s created the following question: Should he be given a chance to start again?
While it’s all but certain there will be starts in Bello’s future (he is signed through 2029), his usage for the remainder of this 2026 postseason chase seems fairly obvious.
Keep him where he is, because it is working brilliantly.
Once again following an opener, Bello came up big for the Red Sox, allowing three hits and one run over 4 2/3 innings in which he walked one and struck out three. Of Bello’s 76 pitches, 50 were for strikes. Behind Bello and a rejuvenated offense, the Red Sox shook off a 2-7 stretch with an 11-1 romp over the D-backs.
While Bello is still a starter at heart, this question was posed to him after his latest strong effort out of the bullpen: “Do you like it?”
“It’s working,” said Bello.
It was a perfectly appropriate answer. For teams aiming to get into the postseason -- which the Red Sox (67-58) are currently in a strong position to do -- this is the time of year when players look beyond their own preferences.
Bello is buying in, and the Red Sox are reaping the rewards.
“It's been great,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “I think obviously it was well documented how the beginning of the year went for him, the frustrations and that he believes he's a starter. We still think that. But he's in a really good place as far as accepting the role and knowing that he's not only accepting the role, but he's going out there and helping us win in that role, and that's a good place for him to be.”
In Bello’s 11 relief appearances this season, he is 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA and one save. While Bello’s first four relief outings were when the Red Sox were going back and forth with him from the rotation, things have changed since he returned from a somewhat stunning five-week demotion to Triple-A Worcester.
Called back up on the final Sunday before the All-Star break, Bello bought his team time for a stirring comeback at Citi Field by giving his team 4 1/3 strong frames in relief.
He has been a reliever in all seven outings since his return from Worcester, walking four and striking out 23 in 27 1/3 innings, while holding opponents to a .189 average and a .495 OPS.
For Tracy to have a weapon like Bello is turning into has been a significant development.
“Huge,” Tracy said. “We've talked a lot about the starters and how do we do things to be able to get them more rest? And we saw tonight, [opener Alec Gamboa] was awesome. Four hitters, gets them all out. Bello comes in and gives us length and sets it up for the back side [of the bullpen], hugely important. And he's been very, very good in that role for a while now."
The reason Bello’s effectiveness in that role is so vital right now is because the Red Sox have two rookie left-handers who have already surpassed their career high in innings in Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett.
With the Sox in the midst of playing 16 straight days without a day off, the ability to set up a day like Monday when Bello could be a big part of the mix was enormously helpful.
Bello’s appearance on Monday came with seven days of rest, which made his stuff really play up. He averaged 96.5 mph with his sinker, and his velo has been much better in the new role. His teammates have noticed.
“I don't know where he was at the beginning of the season,” quipped Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. “His stuff is crazy good. I mean, he is throwing 98 consistently. The sinker is moving well. He's executing to get to two strikes, and then with two strikes, he's getting even better. And tonight was one of those nights that he came out executing every pitch.”
All but at a loss for words earlier this season when he went 1-6 with a 10.35 ERA in eight starts, Bello has gathered himself.
“I feel happy and proud to be able to help the team every time they give me the ball and I’m able to perform and give my team a chance to win,” Bello said.