BOSTON — Lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino recorded the final three outs of the Red Sox’ 11-7 victory over the Guardians on Tuesday.
He’ll return to the mound as Boston’s starter Wednesday.
The Red Sox announced they will use Bernardino as an opener in the final game of their three-game series with the Guardians. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. at Fenway Park. Boston will try for a series sweep. Lefty Joey Cantillo (3-3. 3.93 ERA) will start for Cleveland.
It will mark the third time this season the Sox have used an opener with Bernardino making all three starts.
The 33-year-old lefty has a 3.08 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 53 outings (49 ⅔ innings). Opponents are batting just .202 against him.
Starter Dustin May will pitch out of the Red Sox bullpen this week and could serve as the bulk reliever following Bernardino on Wednesday. May pitched Saturday and so he would be on short rest Wednesday.
Kyle Harrison also is an option to be called up from Triple-A Worcester to pitch in long relief.
Manager Alex Cora said the decision to put May in the bullpen was based on wanting to stay on turn with the other starters. May is expected to return to the rotation next week, Cora said.
Cora said before Tuesday’s game about May, “Tomorrow we might have a bullpen day and he’s part of it. And then if he doesn’t pitch in the bullpen this week, it’s going to be 10 days in between starts. So we’re not going to do that to him.”
The Red Sox need a starter for Wednesday (tomorrow) against the Guardians because they are giving rookie Payton Tolle extra rest. Tolle will start Friday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.
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