Red Sox ace Chris Sale has begun a throwing program at the team’s spring complex, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports. It’s the first throwing action for the left-hander since he was diagnosed with a flexor strain earlier this month.
Sale’s health has been an ongoing point of discussion for upwards of 18 months in Boston. The southpaw spent two stints on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation late in the 2018 season, but the Sox were convinced of his health last spring when signing him to a five-year, $145MM contract extension. Concerns escalated when Sale experienced a dip in velocity early in the ’19 season and pitched to an alarming 6.30 ERA through the end of April.
However, Sale’s velocity trended back up, and over his next 15 starts, he looked like his vintage self: 93 2/3 innings of 3.27 ERA ball with a sensational 150-to-22 K/BB ratio. Three of his next four (and final four) starts of the season were clunkers, though, and Sale went on the shelf for the remainder of the season on Aug. 17.
Sale was cleared of ligament damage last August and underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection as well as a six-week period of rest and rehab. The lefty went through an offseason throwing program but was slowed by pneumonia early in camp before undergoing an MRI that revealed the flexor strain he’s currently battling. He’s been cleared of ligament damage, but Speier notes that surgery to repair the flexor issue remains a possibility if the throwing program doesn’t go well.
The Red Sox are paying Sale $30MM in 2020 — the first season of his front-loaded extension. The delayed start to the 2020 season could give him an opportunity to return to health prior to Opening Day (the date of which remains unclear) — an outcome that didn’t appear possible just weeks ago. That would be a substantial boost for the Red Sox, as their rotation behind the lefty is mired with question marks. Eduardo Rodriguez is presently projected to get the Opening Day nod. He’ll be followed by Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez and a yet-to-be-determined fourth and fifth starter. If Sale is healthy, the Sox would only need to fill one spot; Collin McHugh (who is also on the mend), Ryan Weber, Matt Hall, Kyle Hart and Mike Shawaryn are among the in-house options.
I like Sale. Hope he shakes this and comes back to his “vintage self.”
I like Sale too, but “flexor strain” scares the hell out of me every time I hear it in connection to any pitcher.
At least 60’6” is considered social distancing
Sale has always been such an awesome and consistent pitcher. It’s really too bad to see him go through all of the health issues.
I think of Kershaw and his ability to stay healthy, for the most part, and pitching at such an incredible level for all these years. Amazing.
Hasn’t Kershaw had back problems in the past?
Sure has. And always bounces right back as his numbers continue to rank amongst the best in the game.
I always thought Porcello, since never been injured, may have had an injury in the yr after his Cy yr that has thrown him off. I love Sale, n he is such a great guy, I hope it turns out ok, but he maybe heading for surgery if he fails this time. Not being told in his game is not Sale. And also, all the years he was underpaid makes up for with this contract=he earned it.
As far as individual players go, he may benefit the most from a shortened season. He’ll get healthy and he’s usually been one of those guys who does amazing at the beginning of the year and falls off toward the end. Last year, his peripherals aside from HR/9, were all fairly close to (and some better than) his career averages, so if he’s fully healthy, maybe he could return to his old, dominant self over a 100-game season.
It’s going to be interesting to see how players keep in shape during this season’s suspension.
Players rehabbing must work out to get back to where they were; others may get bored with any further lengthy delay.
I fear more injuries after the season begins.
Sale us a big time goat! The guy was overthrowing the ball and blew out his elbow.
You can’t call ALL the good players the “greatest of all time”
Someone needs to feed Sale a cheeseburger.
Rope Man is back on the mound. Sox season has a pulse!
aaaand it’s gone.
Sale may not be a Ace anymore, but I think he’s still a solid #2-3 pitcher in most rotations. Guy has had some rough luck, but IF he can shake the injury bug off and stays healthy, it will quiet the Red Sox fans finally
I fully expect Sale to be unhittable in May and June. You can take that to the bank, if it’s open.
You’re not paying attention my man, didn’t you read my post about it’s a scam and he is just telling everyone that he’s fine, well just today it turned out I was correct he’s going to have Tommy John surgery. I tried to warn you
He’s right tho. No one’s getting hits off him in May and June. Or July, August…
Chris Sale has a great arm, but how far can even he throw a program?