Boston Red Sox star pitcher Chris Sale has found himself on the injured list all-too frequently over the past few seasons.
For the 34-year-old seven-time All-Star, the 2023 season seemed to represent a change in fortune. Sale made his 11th start of the season Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds. It represents the most starts he’s made in a season since back in 2019.
Unfortunately, Sale exited the game in the fourth inning with a left shoulder issue after striking out six batters.
One day later, and the Red Sox placed their ace on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation. Sale addressed his latest stint on the injured list with reporters ahead of Boston’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. To say that he’s frustrated would be an understatement.
“I felt like I was over the hump, I really did. I was back to being myself and then for something like this to happen is obviously deflating,” Chris Sale to reporters.
Sale’s entire comments seemed to display the same frustration that this quote read.
At the time of the injury, Sale seemed to be performing at a much higher level than earlier in the season. That included his velocity trending in the right direction. Over the course of his previous six starts, Sale posted a 4-0 record with a 2.25 ERA while striking out 41 batters in 36 innings of work.
Chris Sale injury history and latest setback
From 2012-19 with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, Sale averaged 29 starts per season. He earned an All-Star appearance all but one season and finished in the top five in AL Cy Young voting six times.
Things have taken a turn since.
He suffered an elbow injury in August of 2019, ultimately leading to the star pitcher having to undergo Tommy John Surgery the following March. Sale ultimately appeared in just nine games during the 2021 season as he recovered from the surgery.
Then, in February of 2022, Sale suffered a rib stress fracture while throwing batting practice. Even after returning to the Sox in July, the veteran suffered a left fifth-finger fracture after being struck by a line drive. In early August, the veteran then broke his right wrist while riding a bicycle, ending his season after making just two starts.
You can obviously see why one of the game’s most talented and accomplished pitchers is frustrated after this latest setback.
