Red Sox plan calls for Brayan Bello to make next start, but perhaps with aid of an opener

BOSTON — The Red Sox have listed Brayan Bello as their probable starter Tuesday in Detroit, ending, for now, speculation that Bello’s spot in the team’s starting rotation was in jeopardy.

But interim manager Chad Tracy added that the team could conceivably use an opener before Bello serves as the bulk pitcher in the second game of the upcoming series with the Tigers.

“We are discussing the possibility of leveraging an opener in front of him,” said Tracy. “But a lot of that is contingent on how we use our bullpen the next couple of days (as we) try to get a couple of wins. It’s going to be Bello’s day to take down the bulk of the innings, but we’re going to discuss that.”

Tracy then explained the benefits of using an opener in front of Bello, who has a 9.12 ERA and has pitched into the fifth inning just twice in his first seven starts this season.

“If we do it, (the Tigers) tend to have some lefties up at the top (of the lineup),” said Tracy. “So they can change it around and get more righties into the lineup, possibly. But it also pushes him down to where when, third time through, maybe it’s in a section of the lineup we can push him through a little bit.

“The big thing, if we do that, is it for the benefit of the Red Sox and can we help get Bello on track? He’s aware; we’ve talked to him a little bit about the possibility. We also told him to be prepared to start if that comes up. But we haven’t made that call yet. It depends on how we go about the next couple of days.”

Tracy said Bello has been told of the contingency plan and is on-board with trying something different.

“I think he’s open right now to doing whatever to get himself on track,” said Tracy. “I think to doing whatever it takes to help our team win. He’s frustrated, too. But Brayan will be fine. If you watch and really look at the outing last time, there was 2.2 (inning) where it really looked like vintage Bello. It’s 96 mph and it’s sink. There’s a lot of quick outs and he’s looking good. A couple of guys get on and he lost the zone a little bit. So, I think I saw glimpses in that outing where he was very close to turning in a solid outing. But we have to get him over that hump.