Bello set to make season debut in 1st wave of rotation reinforcement

BOSTON -- The Red Sox are getting set to fortify their starting rotation.

Brayan Bello, the team’s Opening Day starter in 2024, will be activated to make his first start of the season in Tuesday night’s opener of a three-game series against the Mariners at Fenway Park.

“It helps,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “We’ve been two guys down, and the other guys have done a good job, but obviously he’s a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish. Velocity is up, which is very important for us. The action on his pitches is good. We know what he can do.”

Lucas Giolito, who was signed by Boston as a free agent in January of 2024, is at last close to pitching his first regular-season game for the Red Sox after undergoing an internal bracing procedure on the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow last year.

Making his fourth Minor League rehab start on Sunday, Giolito stretched out to five innings for Double-A Portland, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out four and throwing 65 pitches.

“Better than the one before,” Giolito said on Monday morning. “My first Double-A game, I didn’t throw enough strikes, so I was disgusted in that aspect. My entire goal for yesterday was just to throw as many strikes as I possibly could. We did that. I didn’t walk anyone. I did give up some hard contact, but that’s because I was trying to throw so many pitches down the middle. I accomplished what I set out to do.”

The goal for Giolito was to start this season on the active roster. But that went out the window when he strained his left hamstring on the first pitch of his first Grapefruit League start.

Since then, he’s had to build himself back up. There’s a chance Giolito will make one more rehab start, but no decision had been made when Cora met with the media prior to Monday’s game against the White Sox.

“I feel ready to go,” Giolito said. “Finally hitting the five-inning mark was good, so I feel ready to help contribute in whatever way possible.”

In his last healthy season of 2023, Giolito led the American League with 33 starts.

As for Bello, he showed up at Spring Training with right shoulder inflammation. Given his importance to the club, the Red Sox were careful with the 25-year-old, who is coming off an inconsistent season in which he pitched his best baseball after the All-Star break.

“I think he learned a lot throughout the season,” said Cora. “He didn't start too well. We reintroduced a four-seamer for lefties, and that was very important. And he learned how to use it. Changed speeds. Velocity was good throughout the season. And, for him to go 30-plus starts, that was very important.

“And now he understands he just needs to go out there and pitch. That's the most important thing. Don't try to overdo it. Especially in the first one. Just get your reps. See how it goes. But, like I said before, I'm happy that he’s back.”

Bello -- and Giolito once he is slotted back in -- will join a rotation that includes Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Tanner Houck. Richard Fitts did a solid job filling in before suffering a mild right pectoral strain on April 11 that landed him on the 15-day injured list. Lefty Sean Newcomb, who will start Wednesday night, has been serviceable after making the team as a non-roster invitee in Spring Training.

No. 14 prospect Hunter Dobbins made two solid spot starts, winning both of them. He is now at Triple-A Worcester.

Having the rotation back at full strength could be big for a club that has been a bit disjointed coming out of the gate, taking a 12-11 record into Monday’s series finale.