The Boston Red Sox have had a busy Spring Training, filled with everything from infield drama to pitching injuries. Their annual trip to Fort Myers has certainly provided plenty of excitement, and some of the storylines may carry over into Opening Day.
One of the most notable has been the health of Brayan Bello. The right-hander has been dealing with a shoulder issue throughout most of Spring Training, though it hasn’t been considered a major concern. However, with the Opening Day matchup against the Texas Rangers drawing near, Alex Cora may soon acknowledge that time is running out.
Cora addressed Bello’s status when talking to reporters on Sunday morning. While he continued to maintain that he’s close to resume throwing, he also admitted the reality of the situation when it comes to his chances of making the Opening Day roster.
“He’s behind, but I think he’s been eager to pitch for a while,” Cora said. “We’ve been cautious with him, and hopefully, that will allow him to be ready early in the season, even if he can’t fully catch up. We’re still aiming for him to be on the Opening Day roster, but it’s already March 2.”
To address their starting rotation, the Red Sox made moves last winter, acquiring Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox and signing Walker Buehler in free agency. However, Lucas Giolito is taking things slow after missing all of last season due to elbow surgery, and Kutter Crawford’s status for Opening Day is uncertain after he aggravated a patellar injury during the offseason.
With all these challenges, having Bello available to start the season would be a significant boost. The right-hander posted a career-best 14-8 record with a 4.49 ERA last season and finished third on the team with 162.1 innings pitched.
The Red Sox also have Tanner Houck, who is coming off his first All-Star appearance last season, and many teams don’t rely on a fifth starter due to scheduled days off and rainouts during the opening month. Nonetheless, Bello’s injury has been an ongoing issue this spring and will be something to watch closely as the Red Sox prepare for the season opener in Arlington on March 27.