Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Red Sox get bad news regarding starter Brayan Bello

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 6:41 PM ET

Brayan Bello was the Boston Red Sox's Opening Day starter last season, but he's not going to get a chance for a repeat in 2025.

That's not because the Red Sox wouldn't want him in that big moment. Rather, manager Alex Cora told reporters on Tuesday that the righty won't be ready for the start of the season with shoulder soreness.

"He's behind [in his recovery] so he's not going to be with us Opening Day," Cora said. "It just doesn't make sense where he's at to push him, rush everything and then something major happens."

Cora did relay that Bello will throw a live batting practice Wednesday and he'll be part of Boston's spring-training preparations. Cora then reiterated, though, that Bello's recovery from the shoulder soreness is behind schedule.

"He not going to be with us for Opening Day. It doesn't make sense to push him."

Alex Cora gives an update on Brayan Bello's status. pic.twitter.com/JZ61DRxkq7
— NESN (@NESN) March 11, 2025

With that said, the Red Sox will try to get Bello into a spring-training game before things wrap up on March 23.

The Red Sox start their season on March 27, kicking off a four-game away series against the Texas Rangers. Then, they'll travel to the Baltimore Orioles for three games. Their home opener will be on April 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bello is a 25-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic who had a 14-8 record last season with a 4.49 ERA and 153 strikeouts. He got a six-year, $55M contract extension from the Red Sox last March with a club option in 2030.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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