Brayan Bello Returned to the Red Sox as a Reliever. He Didn’t Want to Talk About It.

Brayan Bello is back with the Boston Red Sox. He just doesn’t want to talk about it.

The right-hander was called up from Triple-A before Sunday’s series finale against the Mets, but his return comes with a catch and a bit of awkward silence. Bello is rejoining the big league club as a long reliever, at least for now, and according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, he declined an interview request about the move.

That’s a pretty clear signal that the 24-year-old isn’t thrilled with how things shook out. But here’s the thing: his performance before the demotion left the Red Sox with little choice.

The numbers weren’t pretty

Bello was 2-6 with a 6.34 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP when Boston sent him down. His last start before the demotion was brutal. He gave up seven hits and three walks over five innings against Baltimore. Eight runs crossed the plate, and he took the loss. It was ugly.

But here’s where it gets weird. Bello actually performed well in long relief earlier this season. On May 23 and May 29, he worked a combined 12 innings out of the bullpen, allowing 12 hits but only two runs. Both were unearned. So it’s not like he can’t do the role.

The Red Sox cleared a roster spot for Bello by designating veteran lefty Danny Coulombe for assignment on Saturday night. That’s a move you don’t make unless you expect to get some use out of the guy coming up.

What’s next for Bello and Boston

He’ll be available out of the bullpen on Sunday as the Red Sox go for a sweep of the Mets in New York. And honestly, that sweep would be huge. Boston has won eight straight games heading into the All-Star break. That’s the hottest they’ve looked all season, and it’s pulled them into third place in the AL East.

The Sox sit at 45-48, 11 games back of Tampa Bay in the division. But they’re only half a game behind Seattle and Minnesota for the final wild card spot in the American League. The margin is that tight. A sweep before the break and they could be in the mix for real.

Whether Bello accepts the bullpen role or stews over it, the Red Sox need him to pitch well. The leash is short. The season is in a weird middle ground where contention is possible but not guaranteed. And a starter who got demoted and then clammed up with reporters is going to have to prove it between the lines.

The team hasn’t said anything about his long-term role. For now, he’s a reliever. And he’s not saying much else.