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After receiving bad news about their biggest rotation addition of the offseason, the Boston Red Sox are making a major long-term investment in their top returning pitcher.
Boston has agreed to a six-year, $55 million contract with right-hander Breian Bello, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal was finalized when Boston learned of Lucas Giolito’s injury. Giolito headed to Alabama this week for a second opinion on soreness in his right elbow.
Bello, who turns 25 in May, could become arbitration-eligible after 2025 and could become a free agent after the 2028 season.
The deal also includes a $21 million team option and a $1 million buyout in 2030, making the deal worth $75 million over seven seasons if exercised, the person said when the deal was announced. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not yet available.
Bello started 28 games last season, going 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA, with 132 strikeouts and 45 walks in 157 innings. He will lead a rotation that remains a concern.
Giolito, 29, signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract with the Red Sox and made two starts in spring training before complaining of elbow discomfort.
Giolito pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians last season, starting 33 games and posting an 8-16 record with a 4.88 ERA. He started at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons and was named an All-Star in 2019.
Harris’ hot start
Michael Harris II Harris hit his third Grapefruit League home run in the bottom of the third inning off Boston’s Tanner Hoke on Thursday as the Braves won 3-2. Harris went 8-for-18 with six runs scored and five RBIs.
Harris was hitting just .200 with a .499 OPS at the end of April last year, but has improved since then, posting a .293 average and .808 OPS in 138 games.
Chapman deserves to be a Giant.
Third baseman Matt Chapman was scheduled to play in the Cactus League for the first time since joining the San Francisco Giants on a $54 million, three-year contract.
Chapman started Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the No. 5 batter.
Cubs’ Kylian injured
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters that right-hander Caleb Killian has a major teres injury and is expected to be out until the All-Star break.
The 26-year-old Killian was 0-1 with a 16.88 ERA in three games for the Cubs last season, but went 8-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 25 games at Triple-A Iowa. . He started 24 games at Iowa State, with 95 strikeouts and 36 walks in 120 1/3 innings.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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