Boston Red Sox Demote Brayan Bello to Triple-A, Clear Rotation Logjam For Now

In a surprising move, the Boston Red Sox optioned 23-year-old pitcher Brayan Bello down to Triple-A Worcester. The move helps clear the Red Sox rotation logjam for the moment. The team had operated with a six-man rotation for the last week but will add another bullpen arm heading into a series with American League East foe Baltimore, which begins Monday.

The Boston Red Sox have found a way to clear out their starting rotation glut, at least for the moment.

In a surprising move, the team has optioned 23-year-old starter Brayan Bello to Triple-A Worcester and is bringing up left-handed bullpen arm Brennan Bernadino.

Tyler Milliken, Red Sox Insider at 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, has more in a tweet:

"Red Sox have optioned Brayan Bello back to AAA and recalled LHP Brennan Bernandino, per @SmittyonMLB. Didn't think this was likely but this is a way for them take one name out of the rotation mix for now. Let Bello go down and force himself up before a hard decision needs to be made."

Red Sox have optioned Brayan Bello back to AAA and recalled LHP Lefty Brennan Bernardino, per @SmittyOnMLB.

Didn’t think this was likely, but this is a way for them to take one name out of the rotation mix for now.

Let Bello go down and force himself up, before a hard decision… pic.twitter.com/lthBqaVNgB

— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 24, 2023

The Red Sox had operated with a six-man rotation over the last week with Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta and Bello serving in starting roles.

Bello just pitched on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, surrendering three runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

He's the most exciting young arm in the Red Sox upper minors, so to see him only get two starts this season before being sent back down is odd. He had just returned from an arm issue suffered in spring training and made his season debut on April 17th vs. the Angels.

The 23-year-old made his major league debut last year, going 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA.

This decision only temporarily clears the Red Sox issues as James Paxton is set to be activated from the injured list soon.

Alex Speier of the Boston Globe expressed his surprise at the move saying "obviously this clears the 6-man rotation logjam, but still a surprise given that Bello showed the ability to develop/refine in the big leagues last year.

The Red Sox today recalled LHP Brennan Bernardino from Triple-A Worcester, optioning Brayan Bello to make room for him. Obviously, this clears the 6-man rotation logjam, but still a surprise given that Bello showed the ability to develop/refine in the big leagues last year.

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) April 24, 2023

The Red Sox open up a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday at 6:35 p.m. ET.

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