Cup of Coffee: Mayer hits first Triple-A home run; Bello begins rehab assignment

4/2 Cup of Coffee: The WooSox began their first road trip of the season with a loss in Jacksonville. Brayan Bello made the first start of his rehab assignment and was followed by eighth-ranked prospect Hunter Dobbins. However, both pitchers were hit hard early by the Jumbo Shrimp bats. While the WooSox lineup was never able to fully climb back into the game, Marcelo Mayer provided some excitement by smashing his first home run at the Triple-A level. 

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA) 10, Worcester Red Sox 5

The game started with an emotional rollercoaster for Worcester, as leadoff hitter Roman Anthony drilled a ball into the left-center field gap and sprinted all the way around the bases, only to be thrown out at the plate attempting an inside-the-park home run. The WooSox got off to an early lead on a solo home run by Vaughn Grissom in the second inning but fell behind 9-1 after a pair of explosive innings by the Jumbo Shrimp. Marcelo Mayer led a WooSox rally in the sixth inning, crushing a three-run homer as part of a four-run inning. However, the WooSox lineup was unable to put up any more runs against the Jacksonville bullpen.  

Right-hander Brayan Bello took the mound in a professional game for the first time in 2025 after missing all of spring training with shoulder inflammation. Bello is expected to make three rehab starts before returning to Boston. Bello cruised through his first two innings but ran into trouble in the third inning, allowing one run and loading the bases before being pulled from the game. Bello was replaced by Hunter Dobbins, who promptly allowed a grand slam to Jacksonville left fielder Heriberto Hernandez. Dobbins stayed in the game for 3 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on three hits and three walks in his first appearance of the season.

Player of the Day: Marcelo Mayer made his first start of the season at third base on Tuesday night. However, the atypical defensive assignment did not affect Mayer's offensive performance, as the third-ranked prospect put together his best game of the young season. Mayer went 2 for 3 with a walk and a three-run homer, his first home run in Triple-A. Mayer is now 4 for 13 through three games this season. 

Photo Credit: Marcelo Mayer by Kelly O'Connor 

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