Ever since the Boston Red Sox traded for Chris Sale before the 2017 campaign, he has spent his fair share of time on the injured list.
Yes, he was stellar in 2017 (2.90 ERA) and helped Boston win the World Series a year later (that alone makes the trade a worthy transaction), but since 2019, he has been either injured or inconsistent.
He pitched 42.2 innings last year after returning from 2020 Tommy John surgery, and when it appeared he would be ready for a full workload in 2022, the Red Sox placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right rib stress fracture.
The last few years have definitely required fans to exercise patience with the left-handed ace.
However, he seems to be improving and advancing in his rehab: step by step, he is getting ready to return.
“Chris Sale threw a 15-pitch bullpen Thursday in Fort Myers. He’s going to keep building up,” Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com tweeted.
Chris Sale threw a 15-pitch bullpen Thursday in Fort Myers. He’s going to keep building up.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 21, 2022
The Red Sox’s Arrow Is Pointing Up
If there are no setbacks along the way, Sale could return at some point in June.
With fellow left-hander James Paxton also rehabbing and expected to come back in July, the Red Sox’s rotation in the second half could be really dangerous.
The thing, for Boston, will be getting to those months on a winning note and with concrete chances of fighting for a place in the postseason.
At the moment, before Monday’s games, they are 19-22, improving in the ever competitive AL East division.
With some pitching reinforcements on the way, several sluggers regaining their timing (Trevor Story, for example, has resembled his best version in the last few games), and some exciting young talent in the high-minors, the Red Sox could make a shocking comeback in the standings.
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