Brayan Bello’s rough start vs. the Orioles ended with eight earned runs and an 8-2 loss, pushing the Red Sox to option the 27-year-old to Triple-A. After taking questions about whether he should move to the bullpen, Bello snapped back that he’s a starter—“just
Brayan Bello walked off with the kind of stat line that doesn’t leave much room for conversation. In his outing against the Orioles, the 27-year-old allowed eight earned runs and seven hits across 5.0 innings, with six of those runs arriving in the first inning.
Baltimore struck early and kept piling on. In that opening frame, the Orioles tagged Bello for five hits and worked three walks, setting the tone for an 8-2 victory that extended Bello’s streak of poor results when he has served as Boston’s starter.
The numbers got worse from there. After the game, Bello’s ERA as a starter climbed to 10.35. As a reliever, it sits at 0.71—an enormous split that now shapes how Boston is likely to manage him next.
The Red Sox have opted to option Brayan Bello to Triple-A, sending him back to work through the problems that have followed him into the rotation.
After the loss, Bello wasn’t in the mood to revisit a debate that has hovered around his role—whether he should come out of the bullpen instead of starting games. Speaking to reporters through a team translator, he pushed back sharply.
“First of all, just stop talking about bullpen and starting games,” Bello said. “I’ve always been a starter and when I’ve been successful as a starter. no one has questioned whether I have to be in the bullpen or starting games. So, starting from there, just stop that talk, I’m just having a bad season.”.
There’s context behind the frustration. Bello was a key part of the Red Sox rotation during the team’s run back to the post-season in 2025, posting a 3.35 ERA over 166.2 innings across 28 starts. For Boston, the expectation has been that same starter—commanded by results, not role talk.
That expectation is also tied to the commitment the organization has already made. The Red Sox extended the Dominican right-hander in 2024 on a six-year, $55-million deal that runs through 2029, with a team option for 2030.
Bello now faces a blunt reality: as a starter, the present has been brutal. After the Orioles game. his first-inning collapse became the latest reminder that his spot in the rotation isn’t just a job—it’s a standard he’ll need to reclaim. The option to Triple-A gives him time to do it. but it also ensures the discussion will keep returning until the numbers stop telling a hard story.
Brayan Bello Boston Red Sox Triple-A Orioles MLB ERA starting pitcher bullpen debate 8-2 loss 10.35 ERA