The Purple Sox have introduced that Chris Sale “underwent an open discount and inner fixation of a left fifth finger proximal phalanx fracture” at the moment. Whereas the timeline isn’t crystal clear in the meanwhile, the crew believes it’s nonetheless attainable for Sale to return later this yr. (Twitter hyperlinks from Chris Cotillo of MassLive and Chad Jennings of The Athletic.)
Yesterday, Sale needed to depart his begin in opposition to the Yankees with out getting out of the primary inning after a comebacker struck his pitching hand, clearly injuring it. The Purple Sox later introduced that his pinky finger, or “left fifth finger,” was damaged. After the sport, Sale himself stated he anticipated to overlook 4-6 weeks, although the truth that surgical procedure was crucial raises the potential {that a} longer restoration time may be required.
In a lengthier look on the concern, Cotillo speaks to orthopedic surgeon Chris Geary, who believes that Sale received’t even be capable to choose up a ball for 4-6 weeks. Meaning it will be late August earlier than Sale may even start to throw bullpen classes, which wouldn’t depart him a lot time to go on a rehab project and get himself again into recreation form, particularly when contemplating he had simply returned from a unique harm. After being identified with a stress fracture in his rib cage within the spring, he missed the primary few months of the season and solely just lately returned, making one wholesome begin, adopted by the beginning the place his finger was damaged.
Whereas the membership believes Sale can nonetheless return sooner or later, they might should function below the belief that his season is finished, no less than from a rotation perspective. Ramping up in the direction of shorter stints out of the bullpen wouldn’t take as a lot time as returning to a full starter’s workload, which might make it simpler for Sale to return as a reliever.
The membership has been particularly snakebit within the rotation these days, with Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, Connor Seabold and Josh Winckowski all touchdown on the injured record up to now three weeks. With Sale certain to hitch them, that may depart Boston with a rotation of Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford popping out of the All-Star break. James Paxton continues to be working his manner again from April 2021 Tommy John surgical procedure however has but to start a rehab project. Garrett Whitlock was within the rotation earlier this yr however simply returned from his personal IL stint as a reliever and isn’t absolutely stretched out. Prospect Brayan Bello made a few begins just lately, however allowed 9 earned runs in eight innings.
These struggles within the rotation have coincided with a slide within the standings. Since June 26, they’ve gone 6-14 and slipped to 2 video games again of the Blue Jays for the ultimate American League Wild Card spot. The August 2 commerce deadline is now simply over two weeks away and they’re going to certainly have to think about including some arms, even when a few of their injured hurlers are capable of make it again onto the hill. Though, in the event that they slide any additional within the coming weeks, it would impression how aggressive they’re prepared to be.
