Red Sox News: Boston Gets Another Positive Chris Sale Injury Update

As the Boston Red Sox are tied for the AL East lead with the Tampa Bay Rays, the club and its fans can't wait for left-handed pitcher Chris Sale to make his 2021 MLB season debut. The veteran starter has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2020. He's recently been rehabbing with Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, however, he only pitched a handful of innings through his first two rehab starts.

Fortunately, it looks like Sale is close to returning to the Red Sox lineup as he's ready for an increased workload. The organization expects him to pitch four or five innings in his third rehab start for the Sea Dogs on Sunday.

Chris Sale Injury Update

Sale looked impressive through the first two innings of his start on Sunday, allowing two hits while striking out five batters on 27 pitches. He may be playing against lesser competition than he's used to in the MLB, but, this is the type of performance that builds confidence and should make his eventual return that much more seamless.

Even Red Sox managed Alex Cora is excited about Sale's progress and can't wait to get the ace back on the mound. He said that whenever Sale is back with Boston, he'll be ready to contribute.

"He [Sale] loves the fact that these guys have put this team in a situation to compete the rest of the season. He wants to be part of it. That’s something he mentioned in spring training and he’s like, ‘Hopefully when I come back, we’re playing meaningful games,’ and we will."

- Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

The good news for Sale is that, unless a colossal collapse happens, the Red Sox should still be in a position to compete heading into the postseason. Boston's +1200 odds to win the 2021 World Series rank T-6th, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

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