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Boston, June 14: The Boston Red Sox quietly moved on from right-hander Brian Van Belle over the weekend, finalizing a cash deal with the Cincinnati Reds just days after the 28-year-old pitcher was designated for assignment. For most fans, it’s a standard bit of roster housekeeping. But for Van Belle, and those who’ve followed his climb from undrafted longshot to the brink of the majors, it’s something closer to heartbreak.
A Grind Few Ever See
Van Belle’s professional story has never fit the headlines. Signed by Boston in 2020 without hearing his name called during the MLB Draft, the University of Miami product entered pro ball with no fanfare and little margin for error. Over the next four seasons, he chipped away in the minors, logging innings, tweaking mechanics, and doing just enough to stick around.
This spring, his persistence seemed to be paying off. Through 12 appearances (eight starts) for Triple-A Worcester, Van Belle had posted a strong 2.29 ERA, walking only seven batters in 51 innings while racking up 41 strikeouts. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient—and consistent. That earned him a long-awaited call-up to Boston on June 10, an emotional breakthrough for a player who had never even made the 40-man roster until that moment.
A Dream Deferred—For Now
What followed was the kind of roster math that’s become all too common in today’s game. Two days after his call-up, Van Belle was designated for assignment. The Red Sox had acquired reliever Jorge Alcala from the Minnesota Twins, and Van Belle’s spot was the one they needed. Just like that, the dream was on pause again—this time, before it even had a chance to begin.
There was no debut, no box score, not even a warm-up toss in a live game. Van Belle became what baseball circles sometimes refer to as a “phantom big leaguer”—called up, listed on the roster, but never officially appearing in a Major League contest.
Reds Step In with a Lifeline
While Boston opted to prioritize bullpen firepower, Cincinnati saw opportunity. The Reds have dealt with mounting injuries across their pitching staff and needed arms who could handle innings without cratering under the pressure. Van Belle, who had quietly built a résumé of durability and control in the minors, fit the bill.
Though the club has yet to comment publicly, sources around the Reds organization believe Van Belle will report to Triple-A Louisville, with the potential to be called up if the big league rotation continues to shuffle. It’s not a guaranteed path—but it’s a real one.
A Numbers Game That Leaves Little Room for Sentiment
For Boston, the trade was pure roster calculus. With Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello all locked into rotation spots, and an increasing need for high-leverage bullpen depth, fringe arms like Van Belle were always going to be vulnerable. Despite his excellent numbers at Worcester, Van Belle didn’t profile as a strikeout artist or matchup nightmare—two things the Red Sox seem to be prioritizing in their mid-season moves.
Still, there’s a sense within the organization that this one stings more than most. “It’s not about talent,” one team official said quietly. “It’s about timing and need. He deserved more.”
A Chance to Prove It Elsewhere
Van Belle isn’t new to doubt. He faced it coming out of high school. He stared it down after college. And he beat it when most thought he wouldn’t crack a Double-A roster. So while the last week may feel cruel, the pitcher now has something else: a 40-man spot in a National League club, and a window that remains open.
In the meantime, Reds fans may be getting more than just a roster filler. Van Belle’s changeup has drawn praise from opposing hitters, and his ability to pitch deep into games—rare for call-up arms—gives him a chance to be more than just a stopgap.
As for Boston, they’ll move on with an upgraded bullpen, but perhaps also a quiet sense of what might have been.
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