WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Bad news for the Grapefruit League: Chris Sale’s return to game action is imminent.
While the Red Sox were playing to a 4-4 tie with the Astros on Florida’s east coast, Boston’s ace completed his second live bullpen session of the spring on Wednesday at the team’s Fort Myers training complex, the final hurdle he needed to clear before making his Grapefruit League debut. Speaking in West Palm Beach after the game, manager Alex Cora said Sale is on track to make that debut Monday at home against the Tigers.
“He threw strikes, his velocity was what his velocity is now, so he’s ready,” said Cora, who received a positive report of Sale’s session during the day. The Boston Globe reported that Sale threw 43 pitches to four hitters during the session.
Cora indicated earlier in the day that Sale’s next appearance would come in a Grapefruit League game if everything went as planned back in Fort Myers.
Sale’s first live batting practice session last weekend marked the first time he’d faced hitters since July 17, 2022, when he fractured his left pinkie finger in a game against the Yankees. That injury ended his season after only two starts. The seven-time All-Star has made only 11 starts over the past three seasons due to various injuries.
Making his Grapefruit League debut Monday would position Sale to make as many as five starts this spring, which is five more than he made in any of the past three springs. The last time he broke camp healthy with the club was 2019.