Brayan Bello does not want to hear any more talk about his role on the Red Sox.
Bello, 27, allowed eight runs and walked three through five innings of work in Boston’s 8-2 loss to the Orioles on Thursday before being optioned to Triple-A Worcester, according to multiple reports.
Following the loss, Bello told reporters that he wants people to “stop talking” about whether he is a starting pitcher or a reliever.
“Just stop talking about bullpen and starting games,” Bello said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez, according to MassLive. “I’ve always been a starter. And when I’ve been successful as a starter, nobody has questioned whether I have to be in the bullpen or starting games.”
Questions have arisen about Bello potentially pitching out of the Red Sox’s bullpen due to his abysmal 10.35 ERA through eight starts. In comparison, he has a 0.71 ERA as a bulk reliever while pitching after an opener.
Bello did acknowledge that he’s been having a “bad season” so far, but insisted that he would be able to recover going forward.
“Just stop that talk because I’m just having a bad season. That’s it,” Bello said. “It’s not whether I’m a starter or I’m a reliever. I’m just having a bad season. But I know I can turn it around. I always have. And I think I will.”
When asked if a short stint in the minors would help him figure things out, Bello said, “I’m not thinking about that.”
“I’m thinking about making my adjustments in the big leagues,” he added. “I have a big league contract. That doesn’t mean the bosses … will take that into consideration. But I’m a big leaguer. I’m a big league starting pitcher. And I’ll make my adjustments here.”
With the Red Sox sending him down to Triple-A, it appears that Bello will have no choice but to figure it out in the minor leagues.
Following Thursday’s game, Bello holds a 2-6 record with a 6.34 ERA across 61 innings pitched this season, noticeably worse than last year for the righty, who pitched to a 3.35 ERA through 28 starts in 2025.
“I don’t really know what’s going on,” Bello said. “I think I have the same mentality whether I’m starting or relieving.
“So obviously I don’t know.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
