The Boston Red Sox are working toward a healthy starting rotation, as Brayan Bello makes his fourth and most likely his final rehab start Wednesday night for the Portland Sea Dogs.
Alex Cora told reporters there’s a “pretty good chance” that Bello would join Boston next week while the Red Sox are at Fenway Park for a seven-game homestand.
Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito will have at least one more rehab start following his two-inning performance Tuesday night for Double-A Portland.
“I talked to him. He didn’t feel great about it,” Cora told reporters before the series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Two innings, 60 pitches. Inconsistent. Stuff was OK He wasn’t able to finish hitters, so he was very honest.”
Giolito allowed three runs and five hits while striking out four and walking three batters on Tuesday and has allowed four runs, nine hits and seven walks across 7 2/3 innings over three rehab starts.
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“I don’t know how many (more rehab starts) he needs,” Cora added. “But, obviously, he needs another one.”
With Bello and Giolito still unavailable for the time being, the Red Sox have a hole in their rotation, especially with Richard Fitts sidelined with a mild strain of a pectoral muscle. Cora said Hunter Dobbins has a chance to start Friday when Boston opens a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox.
“We’ll talk about it. We don’t know yet,” Cora said. “Let’s see how it goes tonight, and then obviously with the day off, we get a chance to reset. We’ll make a decision, probably tomorrow.”
Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images