:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72343132/1258362310.0.jpg "Chris Sale injury update: When will Red Sox SP return to rotation this season?")
Just when it seemed like Chris Sale was dialing in to his former Cy Young self, the lefty was forced to leave his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, June 1, with a shoulder ailment. Sale was visited by trainers two different times during the top of the fourth inning before being removed, finishing with one run on five hits with six strikeouts.
Just a day later, the team placed Sale on the 10-day IL due to left shoulder inflammation. Here's the latest on the starter's status and when he might be able to return to Boston's rotation.
Chris Sale injury update
If there's a silver lining here, it's that Sale appears to have avoided the worst-case scenarios: The lefty is still being run through a battery of tests, but right now it seems like surgery is off the table – it's “just” inflammation, rather than anything structural, and it could be a matter of weeks rather than months until he's back on the mound.
Chris Sale says he doesn't think his shoulder will require surgery but that he won't have a full diagnosis for a week or so. He's dejected, per NESN live feed
“I hate feeling like this. I started having fun playing baseball again. Now I'm back to not having fun, and that sucks.”
– Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 2, 2023