Brayan Bello on the injured list due to back injury

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CLEVELAND — Boston’s starting staff took another blow Wednesday, when the Red Sox started Brayan Bello on the injured list due to upper back stiffness.

Bello’s injury means the Red Sox are without three of their five starters, and that doesn’t include Lucas Giolito, the offseason’s biggest acquisition, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn elbow ligament. .

Bello felt tightness in his back after his most recent start, and the Red Sox decided to be cautious and place him on the disabled list. The Dominican recently signed a six-year, $55 million contract extension.

Puerto Rican manager Alex Cora does not believe that Bello, 24, will miss significant playing time.

“It will be OK. This is more than anything precautionary,” Cora said before Wednesday’s game. “Let’s hope he comes back when he’s supposed to come back. “He is very important to this organization, not only right now, but in the future and if we take care of this then he will be fine.”

Bello worked six scoreless innings on Friday against the Pirates. He allowed one hit and struck out seven. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 26 strikeouts in five starts.

Bello’s injury further complicates the situation for Boston’s rotation, which is without Nick Pivetta (elbow) and Garrett Whitlock (oblique), both on the injured list.

Despite a spate of pitching injuries, the Red Sox are 13-11 and entered Wednesday’s game leading the majors with a 2.60 ERA, the club’s second-best in 24 games since 1920.