Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello made his return from the 15-day injured list Sunday in Boston's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, the finale of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
Bello allowed four hits and two earned runs across five innings en route to improving to 4-1. He struck out one National and walked two.
To make room for Bello, Boston right-hander Josh Winckowski was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding roster move.
Bello was Boston's Opening Day starter and was 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA in five starts before Sunday. He hadn't pitched since April 19, when he picked up a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and landed on the IL five days later because of lat tightness. Sunday marked Bello's first career appearance against the Nationals.
Winckowski has split time as a starter and reliever this season for Boston, going 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA over 12 appearances.
Bello, 24, rejoined the Red Sox rotation four days after another injured starter -- right-hander Nick Pivetta -- also returned from the IL. Red Sox manager Alex Cora added Saturday that right-hander Garrett Whitlock, who has been sidelined with an oblique strain since April 16, will make a rehab start next week for Worcester.
Information from The Associated Press and Field Level Media was used in this report.