Chris Sale injury update: Boston Red Sox starter could be back next week

It has seemingly been forever since Chris Sale has set foot on the mound for the Boston Red Sox. Injuries have wiped out most of the past three seasons as he has made a total of just nine starts since August 13, 2019. Tommy John surgery, a stress fracture in his ribs, and other medical issues have kept him sidelined for majority of the past three years.

But that may be coming to an end. According to Jon Morosi, Sale is expected to return to the Red Sox rotation by the beginning of next week as long as he does not have any injury concerns following his rehab outing on Wednesday.

Boston Red Sox rotation could get boost with Chris Sale

His return could not come at a better time. The Red Sox rotation has been decimated by injuries, with Rich Hill, Nathan Eovaldi, and Garrett Whitlock on the Injured List as well. Michael Wacha has been surprisingly effective, but is battling a dead arm.

Sale would certainly be a boost even if he cannot return to his previous form. He was a solid enough option in his nine outings in 2021, posting a 3.16 ERA and a 1.336 WHiP in his 42.2 innings, striking out 52 batters with 12 walks. Although he was more hittable than he ever had been, that could be chalked up to his extended period of inaction.

Similar numbers could be expected in the early going. While he has cruised through his minor league outings, that is not necessarily a harbinger of success. It does, however, provide a great deal of hope that he can be close to the pitcher he was four years ago.

That is especially the case as their schedule is about to get much more difficult. The Red Sox have begun a streak where they face teams with winning records in their next eight series, including the Yankees and Rays twice each. Having Sale for most of that stretch could make a major difference.

Chris Sale could be back in the Boston Red Sox rotation at the beginning of next week. His return could not happen at a better time.