NEW YORK — After using an earlier than expected hook for Brayan Bello (2 1/3 innings, 28 pitches) and deploying Garrett Whitlock for a longer than expected 47-pitch stint in a 4-3 loss in Game 2 of this AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that it “seems like everybody’s available” for Wednesday’s decisive Game 3.
“I can’t say maybe,” Cora said. “I mean, we’ll see. But probably not.”
Given that Whitlock underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right ulnar collateral ligament 17 months ago and that Tuesday’s workload was his highest of the season, it was a big question mark if the Red Sox could deploy their ace setup man again on Wednesday.
“I mean, we’ll see where he’s at [after pregame throwing], and we’ll use it however we feel is good for us,” said Cora.
It is also interesting that Bello could come back a day after he was lifted with one out in the third inning and the game locked in a 2-2 tie.
Bello has been used in relief three times in his career, and just once since 2022, and that was by design earlier this season when he went five innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Reds.
Following the loss on Tuesday, Cora emphasized to Bello that his quick removal from the game was nothing personal.
“It doesn’t feel good, because you want the kid to go out there and get his experience and pitch deep into the game,” Cora said. “I felt that moment we needed to.
“In the moment, I bet it frustrated him. I told him, ‘you’ve just got to be ready for the next one.’ It’s October baseball. It is different.”
Would Cora be similarly aggressive in using the 37-year-old for more than three outs with the season on the line?
“Like I said, the game will dictate what we do. They’re going to be ready,” said Cora.
