The Boston Red Sox were dealt a huge blow to their pitching staff today.
Their staff ace, Chris Sale suffered a stress fracture in his rib cage.
As a result of this injury, Sale will not be ready for the start of the 2022 regular season and the timetable for his return is unclear as of now.
“Got more teammates picking up my slack, and I’m doing my job getting paid to do nothing,” said Sale. “I’m not afraid to say it, that’s who I am.”
Sale has dealt with some injuries over the past few seasons, and this is just the latest setback.
Chris Sale, a stress fracture in his rib cage. Won’t be ready for the start of the season.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 16, 2022
A Huge Loss
This is a major blow for the Red Sox.
Sale is their ace and has been for the past few seasons, but his injury troubles have limited his action.
He missed all of 2020 and a good chunk of the 2021 season before finally returning.
Now, a fractured rib cage is going to keep him out for an undefined time.
While Sale rehabs, the Red Sox may find themselves in the market for another starting pitcher.
In the meantime, they’ll need to rely heavily on Nathan Eovaldi, Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, and James Paxton, the latter two of whom have dealt with several injury troubles of their own over the past several seasons.
If the Red Sox do decide to scour the market for another starting pitcher to patch the hole left by Sale’s injury, there are still plenty of options available.
Might somebody such as Tyler Anderson or J.A. Happ pique their interest?
Perhaps Julio Teheran, who is throwing today in Miami with several teams present could fill the hole.
Somehow, the Red Sox need to find a way to get by without their ace.
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