Right-hander returns to camp to stay on pitching schedule ahead of Opening Day 2026
Brayan Bello got a taste of the energy of the World Baseball Classic this spring.
And by all accounts, he loved it.
But with the tournament moving into its knockout stage, the Boston Red Sox right-hander made a decision that prioritized the upcoming major league season over the global stage.
Bello returned to Red Sox camp in Fort Myers earlier this week rather than remain with the Dominican Republic for the quarterfinal round, explaining that the move simply came down to workload.
With the Dominican pitching schedule already set, Bello wasn’t slated to start again during the country’s next two games, making it difficult for him to get the type of outing he needs this late in spring training.
Instead, the 26-year-old chose to return to Fenway South so he could stay on track with his buildup.
“I decided it was best for me to come back here and throw my five or six innings, or my 70 pitches that I need to do,” Bello told the media through an interpreter. “I feel that was the right decision.”
Mar 9, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Dominican Republic pitcher Brayan Bello (66) delivers a pitch against Israel during the first inning at LoanDepot Park. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)The move ensures Bello continues ramping up properly as the regular season approaches - something that becomes increasingly important for starting pitchers during the final weeks of camp.
Before returning, Bello still managed to leave his mark on the tournament.
Pitching for the Dominican Republic, he delivered a strong outing in pool play, allowing just 1 run on one hit with 7 strikeouts and no walks in five innings against Israel.
The experience left a clear impression on him.
Bello described the atmosphere of the WBC as unlike anything he had previously experienced, even compared to the brief postseason appearance he’s had in the majors. Sharing a clubhouse with stars from his home country - including players like Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - was another highlight for Boston’s projected No. 4 starter.
But Bello ultimately felt the best move was returning to his day job.
Now back in camp, he’ll shift his full focus toward preparing for the 2026 season, where the Red Sox are counting on him to build on last year’s breakout campaign and continue establishing himself as a key piece of their rotation.
If Bello can be consistent in 2026, it changes the ceiling for the Red Sox in a big way.
Bello is slated to start for the Red Sox in their Grapefruit League game on Saturday night against the Braves.
Mar 9, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Dominican Republic pitcher Brayan Bello (66) reacts against Israel during the fifth inning at LoanDepot Park. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.