Monday, May 18 | Follow Globe Sports

BATTING LEADOFF

The Red Sox seem not to have solved their Brayan Bello problem.

In his first true start in more than two weeks, Bello was uncompetitive in an 8-1 loss to the Braves on Sunday afternoon, further exposing himself as the weak link in a rotation that has helped the Sox stay afloat.

Bello gave up seven runs, eight hits, and three walks in five innings. His ERA is 7.16.

In seven traditional starts this year, Bello has a 9.68 ERA (33 earned runs in 30⅔ innings).

In two appearances behind an opener, he has a 1.35 ERA (two earned runs in 13⅓ innings).

TO THE LINKS

AGE OF DISCOVERY: Plenty of obstacles face New Englanders who dream of professional baseball futures. Winters that bleed deep into spring keep players off the field for so long that it becomes natural to ask how high school talents ever get discovered. Alex Speier has the answer.

ON THE MOVE?: Marcelo Mayer, who has played shortstop virtually his entire life, has spoken with Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy about a potential switch back to that spot and plans to start practicing there. Tim Healey has more in the notebook.

STORY TO THE IL: Mayer spoke up after the Sox placed Trevor Story on the injured list because of a sports hernia Saturday afternoon. Story said he was weighing whether to have surgery, which would keep him out six to 10 weeks.

TOLLING FOR THEE: In the longest outing of his career by a full frame, Payton Tolle allowed just two runs and four hits over eight innings in Saturday's 3-2 win.

ABOUT TONIGHT: The Sox will continue their road trip when they open a three-game series at Kansas City. Sonny Gray will be on the mound for Monday's opener. Here is a preview.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Don Mattingly didn’t join the Phillies as bench coach in January with any expectation of becoming their manager, but that's where he finds himself after Rob Thomson was fired after a 9-19 start. Peter Abraham caught up with the nine-time Gold Glove winner last week. ... Mattingly attended his son Trevor’s graduation from Purdue University on Sunday. When Dusty Wathan filled in, he and his father, John, joined a select group of fathers and sons who have both managed in the majors. ... After the Cardinals won in extra-innings Friday night, boosted by a group of college ball players in the right-field seats who took off and waved their shirts as they sang, St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol purchased tickets for shirtless revelers this weekend.

See more of our Red Sox coverage here.

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