Boston Red Sox

Red Sox name Brayan Bello as Opening Day starter

Bello is the youngest Red Sox pitcher to start on Opening Day since Aaron Sele in 1995.

Brayan Bello opening day Red Sox
Brayan Bello at Red Sox spring training in February. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

By Hayden Bird

1 minute to read

The Red Sox will begin the 2024 season with the team’s youngest Opening Day starter in decades.

Brayan Bello, 24, was named by Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday as Boston’s pitcher to face the Mariners in the first game of the new season. Opening Day will be a road game for the Red Sox, getting underway at 10:10 p.m. EST in Seattle on Thursday, March 28.

Bello recently signed a six-year contract extension worth $55 million to stay with Boston. The Dominican Republic native went 12-11 last season with a 4.24 ERA.

According to Peter Abrabam of The Boston Globe, Bello (24 years, 11 months, 12 days) will be the youngest Red Sox starter on Opening Day since Aaron Sele (24 years, 11 months, 2 days) in 1995.

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“I do believe he’s in a stage in his career and in the organization that he is the right one for that game,” Cora told reporters at JetBlue Park. “We made a big commitment with him a few weeks ago. He made a big commitment with us.

“It goes hand in hand. Last year he proved he belongs here,” added Cora. “And it just feels like he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do throughout the offseason, in spring training. He keeps improving. He’ll be the guy in Game 1.”

After the season-opening series in Seattle, followed up by a three-game set against the Angels, the Red Sox eventually make their way back to Fenway Park for an April 9 home opener against the Orioles.

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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