NEW YORK -- Five weeks after the Red Sox optioned inconsistent starting pitcher Brayan Bello to Triple-A, they summoned him back to the Major Leagues before Sunday's series finale against the Mets at Citi Field, but perhaps just on a temporary basis.
On this final day before the All-Star break, Boston needed as many fresh arms as possible, with the chance looming that rookie starter Payton Tolle’s outing could be cut short so he can get some extra rest before the stretch run starts.
Perhaps Bello will piggyback Tolle with a multi-inning stint.
“The big thing is you guys know over the last handful of days how short we are bullpen-wise,” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “So just want to make sure that we have enough [pitchers] down there and have enough coverage to get through the game, so we'll see. It just depends, is there going to be a bridge needed [earlier], or is there going to need to be coverage at the back end in an extra-inning game? We’ll just see how the game plays out.”
The Red Sox also have a doubleheader against the Rays coming on Friday’s first day after the All-Star break.
Is Bello in play for that, either as a starter or a reliever?
“I think everybody's in play for that. We have to figure out that day, and we get the 27th man, having as many [pitchers] as possible,” said Tracy. “The key there is getting through those two games and not putting it to where you overly tax your bullpen on Day One out of the break, and then you still have a lot of games to play. So we'll figure out what's best, how to get through that other game and go from there.”
The 27-year-old Bello had a 6.34 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) for the Red Sox before his demotion to Triple-A on June 5.
For Worcester, Bello has made four starts, recording a 4.34 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings. Getting Bello back to the point he was at last season, when he was a solid No. 2 starter for the Red Sox, remains a work in progress.
“They say his work ethic's been great. He’s done everything they've asked,” said Tracy. “He's put in a lot of work, taken down the starts he's supposed to take down, and comes out the next day and he's ready to get to work again in between starts. Big picture, we knew what was coming down the pike here, and getting things lined up to where we have enough [pitchers] to make sure we get through this to the All-Star break, and then get ready for after the break.”
To make room for Bello on the roster, lefty reliever Danny Coulombe was designated for assignment.