Sale came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the White Sox, allowing three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The veteran southpaw put together another strong outing, but Sale left the mound in line for his fifth loss of the year before Boston rallied in the eighth inning. Since returning from the IL in mid-August, he has a 4.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 52:13 K:BB through 38.2 innings, but just one win in eight starts to show for it. Sale figures to take the mound one more time in 2023, on the road next week in Baltimore.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Fans 10 over six frames
Rotowire
Sale did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings against Toronto. He struck out 10.
Sale shut down the Blue Jays for most of the afternoon and didn't allow a run until Vladimir Guerrero took him deep for a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the seventh. It was the lefty's first start since May 20 in which he went at least six innings, and it marked his third time this season with 10 or more strikeouts. Sale has now given up two or fewer runs in eight of his last 11 starts and has surrendered only two hits in two of his last three. On the downside, he's also issued two walks in four consecutive outings.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Next start pushed back
Rotowire
Sale's next scheduled start will come Saturday against the Blue Jays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Sale was set to take the ball Thursday against the Yankees, but he hasn't been particularly sharp in recent weeks, so he will get a couple extra days to rest before getting back up on the bump. The Red Sox have yet to name a starter for Thursday's game in place of Sale.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Six earned runs in loss
Rotowire
Sale (6-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks over four innings against Baltimore. He struck out five.
The veteran lefty was plagued by the long ball, serving up a three-run homer to Aaron Hicks in the second inning and a two-run shot to James McCann in the fourth. Sale had been solid in his previous five starts after returning from injury Aug. 11, posting a 4.18 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while looking like his old self in the strikeout department with 11.4 K/9 across 23.2 innings during that span. However, Saturday's poor effort raised the southpaw's season-long ERA to 4.88, the highest of his 13-year career. Sale will aim to regain his form in his next outing, tentatively scheduled against the Yankees at home next week.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Blanks Royals
Rotowire
Sale (6-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings against Kansas City. He struck out five.
Though Sale was unable to go deep enough to claim a quality start, he managed to pick up his fifth win of the season after holding the Royals scoreless across five frames. The outing was a strong bounce-back performance for the veteran after surrendering seven runs across his previous two starts (9.2 innings). Sale will look to keep the ball rolling in his next appearance, which is tentatively scheduled to come during a three-game home series against the Orioles this weekend.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Coughs up three runs
Rotowire
Sale allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in Monday's loss to Houston. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.
Sale failed to complete five innings for the third time since returning from the injured list Aug. 11. During that span, he's registered a 5.30 ERA across 18.2 frames in four starts. He's now sporting a 4.75 ERA with a 96:21 K:BB through 15 outings this season. Sale's next start is lined up to be in Kansas City this weekend.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Strikes out nine Wednesday
Rotowire
Sale allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.
Sale built up to 80 pitches (53 strikes) in his third start back from a shoulder injury. While the surface numbers were unimpressive -- though also against the toughest opponent he's faced since his return -- his velocity rebounded to an average of 93.9 mph on his fastball after it sat at 91.8 mph last Thursday. The southpaw is at a 4.68 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 90:19 K:BB through 73 innings across 14 starts this season, and his pitch count Wednesday suggests he's close to shedding any workload restrictions. His next projected start is expected to be a rematch with the Astros at home early next week.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Velocity down
Rotowire
Sale averaged 91.8 mph on his fastball Thursday, down significantly from the 94.5 mph he flashed in his first start off the injured list last Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Neither Sale nor manager Alex Cora were overly concerned after the game. The pitcher was pleased he was able to fight through his diminished velo and make pitches when he had to, but he continues to face a restricted workload. The left-hander wasn't fully built up when he started last week and was pulled after 58 pitches. On Thursday, he got up to 65 pitches when Cora pulled him in the fifth inning after Sale issued a pair of walks.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Takes third loss
Rotowire
Sale (5-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.
After walking Jeter Downs to open the bottom of the third inning, Sale was plagued by two fielding errors, which would lead to the first run coming across for the Nationals. The veteran lefty would then be relieved by Josh Winckowski with one out in the fifth, after issuing two walks to begin the frame. It's been a tough go for Sale this season as he's failed to make it through five innings in either of his last three starts dating back to June 1, with a two-month stint on the IL due to shoulder trouble in the middle of that stretch. On a positive note, he has not allowed more than two hits in either of his two starts since returning from the shoulder injury.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Fans seven in return
Rotowire
Sale allowed two runs on one hit over 4.2 innings in Friday's win over Detroit. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.
Sale looked strong in his first start since June 1 due to a stress reaction in his left scapula, tossing four shutout frames before the Tigers broke through in the fifth inning. He threw 42 of 58 pitches for strikes, including 12 whiffs. Over his last seven starts, the 34-year-old southpaw has posted a 2.43 ERA with a terrific 48:5 K:BB across 40.2 frames. Sale should have a longer leash in his next start, which is lined up to be next week in Washington.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Activated ahead of Friday's start
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Sale will make his long-awaited return to the Red Sox' rotation following a two-month absence due to a stress reaction in his left scapula. The veteran left-hander threw just 54 pitches in his second of two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester and is expected to be limited to around four innings against Detroit on Friday.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Will be limited in return Friday
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Set to return from IL on Friday
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Sale (shoulder) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Tigers at Fenway Park, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Sale built up to just 53 pitches over his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester, but the Red Sox won't have the veteran southpaw waste any more bullets in the minors after he was electric in his most recent outing Sunday, when he struck out seven and walked none over 4.1 scoreless frames. Since he's not yet fully stretched out for a traditional starting role, Sale could be capped at around 70-to-80 pitches Friday and may be deployed in tandem with another pitcher, but he could still have a long enough leash to hit the five innings he needs to qualify for a win. Sale's upcoming start will be his first with the Red Sox since June 1 after a two-plus-month recovery from a stress reaction in his left scupla.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Completes second rehab start
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) threw 53 pitches over 4.1 scoreless innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and issued no walks.
The veteran left-hander threw 40 pitches across two frames during his first rehab outing last week, and he continued ramping up his workload Sunday. The Red Sox haven't officially indicated when Sale will return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin the big-league rotation, but he could do so as early as next weekend against the Tigers. If activated during the upcoming week, Sale will likely be on a limited pitch count in his first start and could be piggybacked by a reliever.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Next rehab start Sunday
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Sale battled some command issues in his rehab debut Tuesday with Worcester, yielding two walks over two innings, but he gave up only one hit and didn't allow a run while striking out three of the nine batters he faced. Out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula, the veteran left-hander is tracking toward a return to the Red Sox rotation around the weekend of Aug. 11.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Makes first rehab start
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three over two innings for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Lauren Campbell and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.
Sale threw 40 pitches (26 for strikes) in his first game action since June 1. "He was all over the place, with (a few) walks," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "But he feels good about his mechanics, feels good about his arm. Now it's a matter of harnessing the stuff in the strike zone." The left-hander's fastball reached 96 mph, and he was encouraged by some aspects of his performance. "Obviously, had a couple walks. But, for the most part I was mainly around the zone," Sale said. He'll work on whatever issues led to the high number of balls and two walks ahead of his next rehab start for the WooSox on Sunday.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Confirmed for rehab start
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Sale is scheduled to pitch three innings for the WooSox, then make a second rehab start the following Sunday. At that point the Red Sox will reassess the left-hander and decide on the next step. It's possible Sale could rejoin Boston's rotation as soon as the team's series against the Tigers, which begins Friday, Aug. 11. Red Sox manager Alex Cora previously stated the club is considering bringing Sale back before he's completely built up. If he does return for the series with the Tigers, Sale could be used as an opener who would go three or four innings, then pitch deeper into games as he builds arm strength.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: On track for rehab start Tuesday
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday if he gets through Thursday's live batting practice session with no issues, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
The live BP session will come after Sale completed another bullpen session over the weekend. The Red Sox have discussed the possibility of bringing the left-hander back early and have him build back up at the big-league level, so it's possible he could make just the one rehab start. Sale has been out since early June with a stress reaction in his left scapula.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Could begin rehab next week
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) could be ready to begin a rehab assignment next week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Sale will throw an up-and-down bullpen session Thursday at Triple-A Worcester and, assuming that goes well, could be cleared to start pitching in rehab games next. McCaffrey notes that the Red Sox are considering bringing Sale back from the injured list early and having him build up his stamina while in the majors. Sale is eligible for activation Aug. 1, but it seems as if he would need at least a few more days than that. He's been out since early June with a stress reaction in his left scapula.
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Red Sox's Chris Sale: Throwing bullpen Tuesday
Rotowire
Sale (shoulder) will throw his first bullpen session Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
This will mark his first time throwing off a mound since he got injured June 1. Sale has been throwing off flat ground every other day and is tracking toward a possible return in early August.
