Chris Sale is once again going to miss a significant chunk of time. The Red Sox moved the starting pitcher to the 60-day injured list on Friday.
Sale left his last start on June 1 with left shoulder inflammation and was immediately put on the 15-day injured list. Manager Alex Cora had said earlier this week that the team was still gathering more information and would know more about his timeline by the end of the week.
Clearly, that more information wasn't positive. The team said on Friday that Sale has a stress reaction in his shoulder blade and will be re-evaluated in three-to-four weeks. Surgery isn't on the table, but the move to the 60-day IL means that Sale will now be out until at least the start of August.
Sale is 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA across 11 starts and 59 innings this season. He had just started to hit his stride prior to the injury, allowing just five runs over his last four starts for a 1.90 ERA during that stretch.
It's a massive blow to a team that needs front-of-the-rotation arms, especially with fellow veterans Corey Kluber and Nick Pivetta both struggling and getting moved to the bullpen.
The Red Sox made several other roster moves on Friday, including activating Adam Duvall from the injured list:
-Reinstated outfielder Adam Duvall from the 60-Day Injured List.
-Selected left-handed pitcher Joe Jacques to the active Major League roster from Triple-A Worcester. He will wear number 78.
-Transferred left-handed pitcher Chris Sale to the 60-Day Injured List.
-Optioned infielder Enmanuel Valdez to Worcester following last night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
-Designated left-handed pitcher Matt Dermody for assignment.
