Brayan Bello likely to pitch in bulk role

The Red Sox bullpen shuffle continues to keep fresh arms available. Gamboa has a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 12/5 K/BB ratio over 13 innings in seven appearances with Boston this year.

The Red Sox termed this a bullpen game, but Erik Miller essentially functioned as an opener before Bello came in to start the second. Bello struck out four and walked none before leaving in line for the win. That didn’t hold up, though. Bello probably won’t be available to pitch again until Thursday.

Bello needed just 28 pitches to get nine outs to finish off a 14-2 game. He’s certainly making a case for getting more work in close games while having allowed only one run in 16 2/3 innings over four appearances since returning to the majors on July 12. But at least he’s taking some pressure off Boston’s bullpen as is.

Bello took over with the Red Sox down 4-3 in the sixth and then finished the game while the offense added six runs against Cole Irvin. He’s allowed just one run in 13 2/3 innings in his three appearances since being recalled July 12. That’s not consistent enough work to make him useful in mixed leagues, but if he does get his rotation spot back at some point, he’ll be more interesting than he was in April and May.

The Red Sox needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Ranger Suarez on Sunday and unfortunately Gamboa drew the short straw this time around. The 29-year-old southpaw holds a terrific 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 12/5 K/BB ratio over 13 innings in seven appearances with the big league club this season. He should get another opportunity with the Red Sox before the summer is through.

No surprise here. Rivera heads back to the minors after surrendering four runs and recording just two outs during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles. It’ll be Alec Gamboa sticking around as long relief depth for Boston after serving as the club’s 27th man for the twin bill.

Bello was almost certainly going to pitch tonight, but it wasn’t supposed to happen in the first, as the Red Sox were surely counting on two or three innings from Rivera before things got messy. Bello stepped in and did a great job of cleaning up, but Boston never did get back into the game. Bello has allowed one run over 9 2/3 innings in his two appearances since being recalled just before the break. It’s still possible that he’ll return to Triple-A at some point, but he’s certainly making a case for sticking around.

Boston will attempt to notch their franchise-record 16th consecutive victory with rookie lefty Eduardo Rivera on the mound and Alec Gamboa coming up from Triple-A Worcester as long relief depth for Wednesday’s nightcap at Fenway Park. Suarez won’t be able to take the ball due to an illness. It’s challenging to pinpoint his exact return date given everything that has transpired in the last few days, but Suárez appears likely to return for either Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays or Monday’s matchup against the Athletics, if the Red Sox opt to give him a few extra days.

Bello hadn’t pitched in 11 days and wasn’t particularly effective during his stint in Triple-A, but one would never know it from his performance today. After taking over from Payton Tolle in the fourth, he faced 14 batters and got 13 outs. A solo shot from Francisco Lindor accounted for the only damage. Bello seemed likely to return to Triple-A after pitching today, but following such a nice showing, we’ll have to wait and see. He could start the fifth game after the break if Ranger Suarez isn’t ready to come off the IL.

As anticipated, Bello rejoins the Red Sox for Sunday’s first half finale against the Mets. It sounds like he’ll be available out of the bullpen if needed on Sunday but is likely to jump into the Red Sox’ rotation following the All-Star break to fill in for the injured Ranger Suarez.