Red Sox Injury News: Promising Chris Sale Rehab Update

As next month's MLB All-Star game quickly approaches, the Boston Red Sox are in a battle with the Tampa Bay Rays for the top spot in the AL East. At 37-23, the Red Sox are just 0.5 games behind the first-place Rays (38-23). Fortunately for Boston, reinforcements could be on the way soon.

Left-handed pitcher Chris Sale, who's been sidelined since March 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is making some progress in his rehab. Boston-area writer Alex Speier reported that Sale pitched in the club's bullpen on Tuesday, meaning he's one step closer to his MLB return.

Chris Sale Injury Update

According to NBC Sports, Red Sox manager Alex Cora and pitching coach Dave Bush were in attendance to watch Sale pitch. The next step in his recovery will be to face live hitters, followed by a rehab assignment with Boston's Triple-A affiliate. With that being said, it's more likely that the seven-time All-Star will be back after the All-Star break rather than before it.

Regardless, the hope is that Sale can return to the lineup and pitch as he has with the Red Sox since joining the team in 2017. Since then, the 32-year-old has a 35-23 record in 84 starts while recording a 3.08 ERA and 763 strikeouts. Plus, it was only back in 2017 Sale led the MLB with 308 strikeouts. If he can return to that form, it would help improve a team that's already averaging 9.78 strikeouts per nine innings (9th).

Sale's return would go a long way in helping the Red Sox secure their second World Series since 2018. As it stands, they have +2200 odds to win a championship this season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, putting them in a three-way tie for 10th in the MLB.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!