Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale nearing return from rib injury

Chris Sale will make a minimum of another minor league rehab begin earlier than the Boston Red Sox determine if their ace is able to be part of their rotation after being sidelined all season due to a rib injury.

Manager Alex Cora mentioned Friday the seven-time All-Star is close to returning.

Sale struck out seven over 4 innings for Double-A Portland on Thursday. Cora mentioned his mechanics have been sound in his third rehab outing, and he felt “bodily nice.” The 33-year-old left-hander is scheduled to pitch for Triple-Worcester on Wednesday.

“We’ll see,” Cora mentioned. “He’s getting shut. We’ll speak about it and go from there.”

Sale, signed by means of 2024 on a five-year, $145 million deal, fractured his rib cage in spring coaching. He is 114-74 with a 3.03 ERA and a pair of,059 strikeouts over 321 huge league appearances. He has thrown 42 2/3 innings for the Red Sox for the reason that finish of the 2019 season.

Sale went 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 9 begins in his return from Tommy John surgical procedure final yr. He missed the 2020 season.

The Red Sox have been tied for second within the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays at 43-33 getting into Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Chicago Cubs. They went 20-6 for his or her highest June win whole since a 20-9 displaying in 1990.

Boston closed the month by dropping two of three at Toronto. Outfielder Jarren Duran and nearer Tanner Houck didn’t accompany the workforce as a result of they weren’t vaccinated for COVID-19.

Duran mentioned being away from his teammates satisfied him to rethink his stance. He vowed to be obtainable when Boston returns to Toronto in late September. Houck wouldn’t say if he shall be, too.

“I simply miss the boys and miss enjoying baseball,” Duran mentioned. “It’s sort of the deciding issue.”

Reporting by Associated Press.