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Chris Sale resumes his road to recovery after brief setback

Red Sox Manager Alex Cora updated reporters on the status of lefty Chris Sale, who continues to recover from a stress fracture in his ribs.

Sep 1, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 1, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox lefty Chris Sale has resumed his throwing program, according to Red Sox Manager Alex Cora in a recent press conference.

Sale continues to recover from a stress fracture in his rib cage suffered back in February, after which the team placed him on the 60-day Injured List. He was previously shut down at the beginning of May with a non-baseball-related medical issue. The most recent update is that the Red Sox are targeting the third week of June for Sale to return to the majors.

"He started playing catch. From where we were a few weeks ago to there, that’s a good sign," said Cora (via MLB.com's Ian Browne).

Elsewhere on the Red Sox pitching staff, righty Michael Wacha (left intercostal irritation) is nearing a return from the 15-day IL. He threw 35 pitches in a two-inning simulated game on May 16 and is expected to return to the rotation on May 20, per Browne.

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Left-handed reliever Josh Taylor (lower back strain) is also expected to rejoin Boston from the 60-day IL at some point in June. Fellow southpaw James Paxton is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could make his Red Sox debut by July.

Scroll down for a collection of some of the best photos of the 2022 season for the Boston Red Sox. Featuring Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, and Garrett Whitlock, among others.

Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox

Red-Sox-2022-copy.jpgKathryn Riley/Getty Images

Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox runs to second base after hitting a double in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on April 18, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)


MLB: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees

Rafael-Devers-2022-copy.jpgWendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 9, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) makes a running throw to first base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports


Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox

Red-Sox-2022-03-copy.jpgMaddie Meyer/Getty Images

Members of the Boston Red Sox are announced on Opening Day before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on April 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)


MLB: Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

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Apr 24, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story (10) throws the ball for an out against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports


Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees

GettyImages-1390763931-scaled.jpgMike Stobe/Getty Images

Christian Arroyo #39 and Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees 4-3 at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)


Boston Red Sox v Detroit Tigers

Red-Sox-2022-04-copy.jpgNic Antaya/Getty Images

Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after scoring a run against the Detroit Tigers during the top of the sixth inning at Comerica Park on April 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)


Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox

Red-Sox-2022-05-copy.jpgKathryn Riley/Getty Images

Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox takes a ride in the laundry cart after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on April 18, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)


Minnesota Twins v Boston Red Sox

Red-Sox-2022-02-copy.jpgOmar Rawlings/Getty Images

Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting an RBI home run in the bottom of the second inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on April 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)


Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay Rays

Garrett-Whitlock-2022-copy.jpgMike Carlson/Getty Images

Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 23, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)


MLB: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox

Rafael-Devers-2022-02-copy.jpgPaul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 15, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) hits a home run during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Every player is wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.