Boston Red Sox Reveal Official Injury Diagnosis on Starting Pitcher Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox transferred starting pitcher Chris Sale to the 60-day injured list on Friday afternoon.

Later on Friday afternoon, we got the reason as to why:

Per Sean McAdam of MassLive.com on Twitter:

Chris Sale has a stress reaction in the scapula bone (shoulder blade). It will not require surgery, but will require rest and rehab. He’ll be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks.

Chris Sale has a stress reaction in the scapula bone (shoulder blade). It will not require surgery, but will require rest and rehab. He’ll be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) June 9, 2023

That means he won't be eligible to come back and pitch until August 2 at the earliest.

Jared Carrabis of Draftkings provided some dire background information on Twitter, with a little bit of satire, as well:

This is what Jacob deGrom had last year. Got diagnosed on April 2 and came back on August 2. So, four months. If it’s the same timetable for Chris Sale then he’d be good to come back just in time for the playoffs!

Sale has dealt with significant injuries in each of the last five seasons now. He was shut down at the end of 2019 with elbow problems, missed all of 2020 and most of 2021 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and then dealt with illness, a finger issue and a broken wrist that cost him nearly all of 2022.

He had looked strong this year and was becoming the ace that the Red Sox needed him to be.

He is 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA. He's struck out 71 batters in 59 innings.

For his career, he's a seven-time All-Star selection who helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series.

The Red Sox will take on the Yankees on Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET.

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