Mets' Kodai Senga Could Have Future As Leverage Reliever The New York Mets faced a critical need for high-leverage relievers after trading away most of their bullpen options ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. With closer Devin Williams sidelined due to a right shoulder strain, the team turned to right-handed starter Kodai Senga, a player who had struggled significantly in his role as a starter earlier in the season. Senga, 33, had posted a 7.79 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 21 appearances (eight starts) this year, but his recent transition to a relief role has yielded a dramatic turnaround, with a 2.45 ERA in June and four save conversions despite being walked off by the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Senga’s shift to the bullpen mirrors the career trajectory of Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello, who also found success as a late-inning reliever, according to MLB.com’s Mike Petriello. Analysts have examined Senga’s performance to determine the factors behind his recent effectiveness. MLB.com’s Jared Greenspan analyzed the situation, building on Petriello’s framework of three key questions: Has Senga altered his pitch mix? Is he throwing harder? Is he being more aggressive in the zone? Greenspan’s findings revealed that Senga’s repertoire, which includes six pitches, has narrowed significantly in his relief role. He now relies heavily on his four-seam fastball (64% of pitches) and forkball (25.1%), collectively accounting for 89.1% of his offerings. This shift has been crucial, as Senga’s other pitches—such as his sweeper, slider, sinker, and cutter—have been less effective. Opponents have hit .364 with a .742 slugging percentage against these secondary offerings, which explains his struggles as a starter.#boston_red_sox #new_york_mets #brayan_bello #mlb_com #kodai_senga
Brayan Bello shines again in relief in Red Sox’ win The Boston Red Sox defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-1 on Monday at Fenway Park, with reliever Brayan Bello delivering a dominant performance. Bello allowed just one run over 4⅔ innings, contributing to the team’s victory as they began their weeklong homestand. The win highlighted Bello’s effectiveness in the bullpen, a role he has embraced since being demoted from the rotation earlier in the season. Bello, who has a 0.85 ERA in 11 relief appearances this season, has been a standout for the Red Sox. Across 52⅔ innings in the bullpen, he has allowed only five runs. His performance in Monday’s game was particularly notable, as he navigated a critical moment in the sixth inning when Arizona loaded the bases with one out. Bello held Geraldo Perdomo to a sacrifice fly after a hard line drive down the right-field line narrowly missed becoming a home run. He also struck out Jordan Lawlar after a foul ball near the Pesky Pole, preserving the Red Sox’ lead. Contreras, who hit his 25th home run of the season, praised Bello’s consistency. “His stuff is crazy good. I mean, throwing 98 [miles per hour] consistently. The sinker is moving well. He’s executing to get to two strikes, and then with two strikes, he’s getting even better,” Contreras said. Interim manager Chad Tracy echoed this sentiment, calling Bello’s performance “hugely important” and noting his “very, very good” contributions in the bullpen role. Bello’s transition from a starting pitcher to a long-relief role has been a key factor in his recent success. Earlier in the season, he struggled as a starter, leading to his demotion in early June. Since returning from Triple-A Worcester in mid-July, he has taken on a more unpredictable but crucial role in the bullpen.#boston_red_sox #brayan_bello #fenway_park #arizona_diamondbacks #chad_tracy
Boston Red Sox Uncover Reliever Brayan Bello as Key to Recent Win Streak The Boston Red Sox have extended their winning streak to seven games, fueled in part by the unexpected success of reliever Brayan Bello. The team’s recent surge includes victories over the Athletics, a sweep of the Dodgers, and two wins against the Chicago White Sox, with a potential sweep of the latter series looming. While the offense and starting pitching have contributed, the bullpen has emerged as a critical factor, with Bello playing a pivotal role in maintaining the team’s momentum. Bello’s transformation from a struggling starter to a reliable reliever has been a surprise. Initially, the 28-year-old was expected to replicate his 2023 performance as a starter, where he posted an 11-9 record and a 3.35 ERA. However, his 2024 season as a starter was disastrous, with an ERA over 10.00. He often struggled in the first inning, allowing runs that the Red Sox could not recover from. His poor performance led to his demotion to AAA, where he spent time before being recalled as a long reliever. Since returning to the majors in that capacity, Bello has thrived. In 42 innings as a reliever, he has compiled a 0.64 ERA with 30 strikeouts, marking him as one of the most dominant relievers in the league. His ability to limit hits and keep opponents’ bats in check has made him an invaluable asset. This performance has positioned him as a key piece in the Red Sox’s bullpen strategy, allowing the team to preserve the stamina of their high-leverage relievers. The Red Sox’s reliance on Bello has been particularly evident in their use of their top relievers.#boston_red_sox #brayan_bello #aroldis_chapman #garrett_whitlock #justin_slaten
Ranger Suárez's Limited Role in Red Sox Rotation After Minimal WBC Work Boston Red Sox fans were surprised to learn that Brayan Bello had returned to Fort Myers for spring training on March 13, despite suiting up for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Bello was expected to start either the DR’s semifinal game against the United States or the championship match if the team advanced. However, he opted to return to spring training early, citing concerns that he wasn’t receiving enough work with his WBC squad. This decision mirrors the situation with Ranger Suárez, who also faced similar challenges during his participation in the tournament. Suárez, representing Venezuela, made two starts in the WBC but was not fully prepared for the demands of the season. On March 17, the Red Sox announced that Suárez had not been adequately built up during the tournament, leading to a decision to limit his role in the 2026 season. The team plans to have him in the rotation from the start but with reduced workload, as noted by Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. This approach aims to ensure Suárez is ready for the regular season without overexerting himself. The Red Sox’s rotation adjustments were further highlighted by Alex Cora’s decision to name Sonny Gray as the second-game starter for the season’s opening. Fans had anticipated Suárez to take the No. 2 spot due to his track record of consistency, but Gray, despite his age, was chosen to hold that position. This shift underscores the team’s focus on balancing experience and workload, particularly for Suárez, who has struggled to find his rhythm. Suárez’s spring training and WBC appearances have been marked by limited game action. Between his spring training outings and WBC appearances, he has only pitched 9.1 innings.#boston_red_sox #alex_cora #sonny_gray #brayan_bello #ranger_suarrez
