Top-pitching prospect Brayan Bello starts Wednesday for the Red Sox

Bello is 6-2 with a 2.81 ERA in nine games for Triple A Worcester. He last served on Friday and adapted perfectly to the game.

Bello has climbed the prospects charts this season after dominating batsmen in Double A and largely maintaining that against older rivals in Triple A.

He threw 5⅓ shutout innings against Rochester on Friday, allowing two hits and hitting eight with three walks.

Bello meets right-handers Corey Kluber.

Chris Sale was not considered for the opening. He will remain on his rehab assignment and serve up for Worcester on Wednesday night.

“We were joking. I said, ‘Man, it’s already sold out. We can’t disappoint the people of Worcester,’” Sox executives Alex Kora said ahead of a 4-0 win over the Rays. “It will be good for him to go there and compete. It feels really good.”

Sale, who was at Fenway Park Monday, has pitched 7⅔ innings in three minor league starts. He has been on the injury list all season after recovering from a broken rib in March.

“I talked to him a bit. He’s ready to go,” Cora said. “If it’s up to him, he’ll pitch [at Fenway on Wednesday]. But I think there’s another one, maybe two, down there. Go to the competition on Wednesday and we will decide what to do next.”

Hernandez optimistic

Kike Hernandezwho has not played since June 7 due to a right hip flexor strain, smiled as he walked around the clubhouse ahead of Monday’s game.

He did a few turns on Saturday and Monday and is feeling a lot better. It’s less about the injury now and more about preparing to play after a long break.

“It’s like spring training,” Hernández said. “We will see how it goes on.”

The preliminary plan calls for Hernández to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment later this week.

making progress

pitchers Nate Eovaldi (back and Garret Whitlock (right hip) are scheduled for two-inning bullpen sessions Tuesday as they work their way back from injuries.

The step after that would face batsmen.

“From there we will decide what we want to do,” Cora said.

Michael Wachawho was scratched with what the team described as a “heavy arm” from his start on Monday remains in the active squad pending further testing.

Rich hillShe, who is out with a sprained left knee, had an MRI in Chicago over the weekend. It showed a torn ligament but he hopes to only miss 2-4 weeks.

“We can handle it. It’s not the end of the season,” he said.

Hill will be fitted for braces on Tuesday.

Xander Bogaerts, who needed seven stitches to close a cut after being spiked on Sunday, was out of the lineup. He texted Cora early on to say he was still sore.

The hope is that he can play on Tuesday.

JoshTaylor, who has served in six minor league games since June 21, remains on rehab. With three lefties already on the list, the Sox appear to be biding their time.

“We’re going to work out the plan of what’s next for him,” Cora said.

make movements

The Rays had a busy day transacting. They restored the left-handed helper Brooks Raley and right-hand relief Ryan Thompson from the blocked list. Both are unvaccinated and have not traveled to Toronto. right-handed Javy Guerra and Phoenix Sander were returned to Triple A Durham. The Rays were also reminiscent of left-handers Josh Fleming and optional right-hander Christopher Ogando. JP Feyereisen was moved to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot for Ogando… As part of pregame Independence Day ceremonies, the Sox introduced 21 team members who are veterans. The national anthem was performed by Airman First Class Benton Felty with the color guard of the USS Constitution. admiral Carl Schulz (aD) threw out the first pitch. The Connecticut native served as the Coast Guard commander from June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2022… The Sox won eight straight games on July 4th.

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Peter Abraham can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.