Next cease, Portland.
Chris Sale continued his comeback with one other encouraging day on Saturday along with his second and sure closing rehab begin with the Florida Complex League in Florida. Five days after he threw one inning — which included a strikeout of Rays star Wander Franco — Sale threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out six with no walks — however did hit a batter — as he reportedly reached 96 mph along with his fastball.
“I texted with him, he felt like command was a lot better, stuff was good,” Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora advised reporters in Cleveland, through NESN. “Able to go over two innings is important, and that’s something we’ve been talking about it like, if the pitch count is low, then we’ll push him to the next inning. That tells you where he’s at physically. It’s a lot different than last year, like I said. We’re very happy with the way he threw today, but obviously (Sunday) is a big day.”
If Sale’s physique responds properly on Sunday, the left-hander will throw a bullpen on Monday in Florida earlier than flying to Portland for his subsequent begin. If the Red Sox select to maintain him on common relaxation, he would pitch Thursday at Hadlock Field because the Sea Dogs face the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Portland additionally performs at dwelling on Friday. Worcester is on the street this week, however Sale might make his following — and doubtlessly closing — rehab begin at Polar Park the week of July 4.
Cora stated the plan is for Sale to pitch 5 innings in a minor league begin earlier than he returns to the Red Sox, which appears to be like prefer it might come earlier than the All-Star break. If he makes two extra rehab begins, Sale’s season debut might line up when the Red Sox go to the Rays throughout a collection July 11-14.
Sale suffered a stress fracture in his proper rib cage whereas throwing to batters through the owner-imposed lockout in February. He had a number of setbacks throughout his rehab, together with a private medical situation that pressured him to briefly pause throwing, however he’s regarded robust since.
“His arm looks great,” Cora stated final week. “The best I’ve seen him in a while. The changeup, which is the one (pitch) he was missing last year because he was coming from surgery, is playing. It’s a good one.”
Roster choices loom
The Red Sox nonetheless have a number of regulars on the injured checklist — together with Kiké Hernandez, Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock — however their looming returns, in addition to Sale’s, will pressure the membership to shake up their roster a bit over the approaching weeks.
Hernandez, who’s on the IL with a hip flexor pressure, had a setback final week and his return timetable is unsure, however when he’s again, the Red Sox will doubtless have to ship one in every of Jarren Duran or Rob Refsnyder again to Worcester, despite the fact that each outfielders have performed properly of their alternative. Duran has been a spark on the high of the lineup — .726 OPS in his final eight video games coming into Saturday — and Refsnyder has made nice contributions offensively (1.108 OPS in 29 plate appearances) and wonderful protection, together with a number of highlight-reel performs.
The guess is that the Red Sox will hold Refsnyder over Duran. Duran, who nonetheless has restricted main league expertise, wants extra constant enjoying time and at-bats as he continues to develop on each side of the ball, and his unavailability for this week’s collection in Toronto as a result of he’s unvaccinated doesn’t assist his trigger, both. Duran stays an vital and thrilling piece of Boston’s future — and will definitely be an element down the stretch and into the postseason — however Refsnyder is the extra dependable choice proper now.
It’s unclear precisely when Eovaldi, Whitlock and Sale shall be again — however all three ought to return earlier than the All-Star break, which can pressure the Red Sox to decide. Eovaldi and Sale are locked in as starters, and can be part of a rotation that features Nick Pivetta, Michael Wacha and Rich Hill. Where does that go away Whitlock? He began the season excelling as an ace reliever earlier than being moved to the rotation, and the Red Sox have been unwilling to take him out as they construct him as a starter, the place they see him long-term. But for this season and this group, Whitlock could also be best-suited to come back out of the bullpen, a bunch that would use one other good arm.
Odds & ends
Connor Seabold, one of many Red Sox’ high pitching prospects, appears to be like like he’s getting one other main league likelihood. The right-hander joined the group in Cleveland on Saturday and is an choice to start out for the Red Sox in Monday’s collection opener in Toronto after he threw only one inning for Worcester on Friday.
Seabold, who was acquired through commerce in 2020 within the deal that additionally introduced Pivetta to Boston, made his main league debut final September towards the White Sox, when he gave up two runs in three innings. He’s regarded good in Triple-A this season with a 2.09 ERA over 11 begins. …
James Norwood, who was designated for task final week after the Red Sox acquired the right-handed pitcher from the Phillies, cleared waivers on Saturday and was outrighted to Worcester.
Source: www.bostonherald.com