The Boston Red Sox starting rotation is about to get a boost with one of their key pieces set to return from injury next week.
Boston has had issues with pitching early on in the season, giving up the second-most hits and runs so far this season, while ranking in the bottom third of the league in ERA with a 4.16. Part of the Red Sox's pitching woes can be attributed to the absence of players like Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford.
Luckily for the Red Sox, Bello is nearing his return from injury after his final rehab start and is slated to make his season debut next week, according to Athlon Sports' TJ French.
"They have had to send so much production from an inning standpoint a year ago to the Injured List early in the season," French wrote. "On Wednesday, Bello pitched in what was presumably his last rehab outing and threw 4.1 innings, giving up four runs but striking out seven."
"Boston has an ace in Garrett Crochet, and considering Tanner Houck hasn't had the best start to his season, the Red Sox could use Bello making an impact immediately. From another Red Sox insider, manager Alex Cora indicated that this was Bello's last rehab start, which would line him up to start either Monday or Tuesday of next week in Fenway Park, potentially against the Chicago White Sox."
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Bello started 30 games for Boston last season, going 14-8 with a 4.49 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 162.1 innings pitched. He is a key piece to the Red Sox's starting rotation and is under team control through 2030 after signing a six-year, $55 million extension, according to Spotrac. Bello is sure to give Boston a pitching boost when he makes his debut.
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