The Boston Red Sox have certainly made their mark on the World Baseball Classic, with ten of their players showcasing impressive performances as they represent their countries in the bracket play. However, one name missing from the action is Brayan Bello.
In a surprising twist, Red Sox fans learned that Bello has returned to Fort Myers to continue his spring training rather than staying with Team Dominican Republic for the remainder of the tournament. There's a chance he might rejoin if they advance to the semifinals, but for now, his pitching duties are on hold.
The Dominican Republic squad is packed with power hitters, leading the tournament with a staggering 1.130 OPS in the group stage. Despite having Cristopher Sánchez as their ace, it was Bello who emerged as their top-performing starter, especially after Sánchez's struggles in his initial outing.
As the Dominican Republic gears up to face Korea in the WBC quarterfinals, they stand undefeated, having dominated their pool. Korea, on the other hand, finished with a 2-2 record in a less challenging group. The DR is heavily favored to advance, potentially setting up a semifinal clash with the United States, provided Team USA can bounce back from their surprising loss to Italy.
Bello mentioned that Luis Severino will take the mound for the Dominican Republic against Team USA, which is considered one of the most formidable teams in the WBC, second only to the DR. Bello's absence is a significant loss, as he was seen as their best shot at overcoming Team USA to reach the finals.
Team USA's roster is stacked with current MLB talent. While Severino brings more major league experience, with ten seasons compared to Bello's four, Bello has been the more effective pitcher recently.
Last season, Severino posted a 4.54 ERA over 162.2 innings with the Athletics, whereas Bello recorded a 3.35 ERA over 166.2 innings with Boston. Bello's higher ground ball rate complements the DR's stellar defensive infield, featuring stars like Manny Machado, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte.
Bello also boasts an impressive record against the New York Yankees and their powerhouse, Aaron Judge. In 2025, Judge failed to get a hit off Bello in seven at-bats, striking out four times. Other teams have managed to keep Judge in check during the tournament, and Bello seemed poised to do the same for the DR.
Adding to Bello's advantage, Team USA includes Roman Anthony and Alex Bregman, both of whom are familiar faces to Bello from his time with the Red Sox. His insider knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses could have been a game-changer.
While the Dominican Republic's offense has been carrying much of the load, Bello's presence on the mound would have been crucial in their quest to overcome Team USA. His return to spring training leaves a gap, but the DR's firepower remains a force to be reckoned with as they continue their WBC journey.