Chris Sale gives an update on his injury status and rehab
A preseason rib injury kept Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale out of the beginning of the 2022 season. The ace pitcher updated media on his injury Tuesday. “Physically, mentally,…
Let’s start here: Sale really hasn’t been the same since he came back, which is to be expected. Pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery can typically take the mound after about 18 months but aren’t fully recovered until about two years out from the procedure. If Sale still looks the same next spring, there will be more cause for concern.
That said, there has been a clear pattern here for anyone who has cared to notice. Sale’s last two starts have come on the standard four days of rest and gotten worse: a combined 3.1 innings, eight hits, seven runs, four walks and a grand slam. This season, on four days of rest, he has a 7.50 ERA while opponents have batted a whopping .400 against him. With more than four days, he has a 2.84 ERA while opponents have hit .219.
If Sale starts in Game 5, it would be on four days of rest. If the Red Sox can get through this series, the Sox can more effectively manage his schedule and he could start two games in the American League Championship Series – both on extra rest.
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsA preseason rib injury kept Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale out of the beginning of the 2022 season. The ace pitcher updated media on his injury Tuesday.
"Physically, mentally, everything, I feel like I'm ready to start this process and get going, and get back here quick," Sale told reporters on Tuesday (via CBS Boston.
When asked about the pitching role he will initially come back in - whether it be starter or bullpen - Sale made it clear he just wants to pitch.
"Nothing really matters other than getting back out there,” Sale said, via Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. “I have experience [starting and relieving] and at the end of the day, whatever it is, it is. For me, pitching is pitching ... Hand me the ball, I’ll throw it until you take it. That’s where I’m at."
Sale pitched to live hitters for the first time this season earlier this week, where Speier noted that he was hitting 96 mph. The rehab process of getting Sale back to the majors is unclear.
“I feel good enough to [start a minor league assignment] next week” Sale said. “Physically, mentally, everything, I feel like I’m ready to start this process and get going and get back here quick.”
The Red Sox recently faced two injuries to their starting rotation, with Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock both on the Injured List. That doesn't mean Sale will immediately jump into a starting role because of those injuries. What it could serve as is a motivating factor to get Sale's minor league rehab assignment started sooner rather than later.
