Chris Sale will not start Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros on Thursday.
Buster Olney of ESPN was the first to report the news on Wednesday. The Red Sox say Sale is still weak from the stomach illness that landed him at Massachusetts General Hospital earlier in the week.
Sale will pitch in Game 6 at the earliest. Manager Alex Cora seemed to indicate on Wednesday that the plan would be to start Sale in that game.
There is no word yet on who will make the Game 5 start in Sale’s place. Cora said a decision on who will start will be made after Game 4.
The Red Sox could consider going with Eduardo Rodriguez, who threw a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday’s Game 3. The team could also opt for David Price on three days rest, or go with a bullpen opener.
Price will be available out of the bullpen for Game 4, according to Cora.
