As the Red Sox approach Opening Day, Alex Cora’s short list for starting pitcher for the opener just got a whole lot shorter.
After Lucas Giolito was sidelined earlier this week due to a right elbow injury, Boston’s manager revealed that Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta are still in contention to open the season as the No. 1 starter on March 28.
Bello’s six-year, $55 million contract extension – penned Thursday – may serve as an indicator that the homegrown pitcher could be named as Opening Day starter. The 24-year-old served as one of Boston’s strongest pitchers last season, racking up a team-best 28 starts and retaining an ERA under 4.