Ranger Suárez’s Update Confirms Brayan Bello’s WBC Departure Reason
Brayan Bello returned to Fort Myers for Red Sox spring training on March 13. He had been pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Bello said he did not feel he was getting enough work with his WBC club. Ranger Suárez made two starts for Venezuela and also returned early.
WBC exits and team announcements
The Red Sox announced Suárez was not properly built up in the WBC on March 17. That was the day Venezuela played the United States in the WBC final. Per Peter Abraham of Filmogaz.com, Suárez will be limited but in the rotation to open the season.
Manager Alex Cora named Sonny Gray the starter for Boston’s second game days earlier. Many fans expected Suárez to be the No. 2 starter because of his consistency. Gray will instead hold that slot to start the year.
Workload and performance numbers
Ranger Suárez’s update confirms Brayan Bello’s WBC departure reason, as both pitchers cited inadequate ramp-up time. Suárez has logged 9.1 innings of game action this spring. That total combines Red Sox spring outings and WBC appearances.
In the WBC, Suárez worked 4.2 innings. He allowed six runs on six hits, including two home runs. In Grapefruit League play, he logged 4.2 innings and gave up three runs on five hits, one of them a home run.
Comparisons inside camp
Johan Oviedo spent the entire spring with Boston. He made four appearances for 11.1 innings. Oviedo has surrendered just two runs in his spring outings so far.
Rotation outlook
The Red Sox rotation appears largely settled. Suárez will start the season under a limited workload. He may get one more Grapefruit League start before the opener.
- Sonny Gray: named the second-game starter.
- Brayan Bello: returned to Fort Myers after WBC duty.
- Garrett Crochet: expected to hold a rotation spot.
- Johan Oviedo: reportedly favored for the fifth spot.
With the season just over a week away after the announcements, the club will balance preparation with caution. The priority is getting the staff ready without risking early injury.
