Red Sox Notes: When Whitlock and Bello Could Return
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The Boston Red Sox suffered a tough loss on Opening Day, falling 10-9 to the Orioles at Fenway Park.
Pitching was the problem for the Sox as the staff walked nine batters and surrendered 15 hits. Starting pitcher Corey Kluber wasn't great, walking four batters on his own and giving up five runs in 3.1 innings.
The hope is that the Sox get back to full rotation health by the end of April though, which should help the bullpen too, as guys currently in the rotation can push back into the 'pen.
Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe speculates that Garrett Whitlock, who is recovering from offseason hip surgery, could be back for a start on April 11th. He'll pitch for AAA Worcester this Friday and again on April 5th. Whitlock is transitioning to a full-time starter this year after being in a hybrid role last year. He went 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA a season ago.
As for Brayan Bello, Abraham reports that he is a week behind Whitlock. One of the top young arms in the system, Bello made his debut last year, pitching to a 4.71 ERA in 13 appearances.
Lefty James Paxton, who missed all of last season after missing nearly all of 2021? Abraham reports that he is "probably" another 7-10 days behind Bello.
That means that the Red Sox could be whole as a rotation by the end of April. If these three are able to enter the rotation, it would likely push Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford to the bullpen, or maybe AAA in Crawford's case.
That would still give the Red Sox six starters for five spots. At that juncture, manager Alex Cora could elect to put Paxton in the bullpen and ease him back in.
The Red Sox play the Orioles on Saturday. Chris Sale will start on the mound.
