Red Sox should be very concerned about Bryan Bello for 92 mph reason

Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello (66) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox are 12-19 on the season, they've fired Alex Cora and a few other coaches already, and have placed Garrett Crochet, their ace, on the injured list.

To say things aren't going well for the Red Sox this season would be an understatement. And things might not be getting any better in the short or long term either.

But, as ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted, the Red Sox should be very concerned about pitcher Bryan Bello. Amid a rough season so far, the Bello development, with his sub-92 mph fastball, is something to be very worried about.

Red Sox should be worried about Bryan Bello

"Over the last two years, Bello's fastball velocity has dipped from 95.7 mph to 93.6 to 91.7," Passan writes. "In today's game, a 92-mph fastball will be obliterated, and Bello learned that the hard way, with the w tagging him for five home runs among 13 hits he allowed two starts ago."

Boston is down Crochet for some time, along with Sonny Gray, residing on the injured list as well. And with Bello struggling mightily, things are looking a bit dire for the once-touted Red Sox rotation.

He has a 9.12 ERA and a 1-4 record this season, with his most recent outing against the Toronto Blue Jays resulting in Bello making it just 3.2 innings before allowing four runs to score on six hits.

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One start prior, he allowed 13 hits to the Baltimore Orioles while giving up eight earned runs in 3.1 innings of work. He's had just one quality start, and it was a 6.2 inning outing while allowing two runs to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Every other start either allowed at least three runs or didn't go five innings. He's struggling a ton this season, and there is ample reason to worry.

The Red Sox are still on the hook for $4.5 million through the 2029 season for Bello, and with his velocity dipping this much over the last few years, below 92 mph, there is a lot of reason to worry about the right-hander.

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