This is the last thing the Boston Red Sox and their fans wanted to deal with on trade deadline day.
Shortly after the deadline itself passed, Boston announced that it has placed ace starter and Cy Young candidate Chris Sale on the 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.
The #RedSox today placed LHP Chris Sale on the 10-day disabled list with mild left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to July 28. To fill Sale’s spot on the 25-man roster, the club recalled RHP Brandon Workman from Triple-A Pawtucket.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 31, 2018
Any time we’re talking about the throwing shoulder, concern is relatively high. Certainly, the Red Sox themselves are worried enough to shelve Sale.
The 29-year-old starter is pitching to an 11-4 record with a 2.04 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 22 starts this season. He leads the AL in ERA, strikeouts, FIP and WHIP. In fact, Sale has recorded a ridiculous 207 strikeouts in 141 innings this season.
Let’s hope for the Red Sox’ sake that this is a short-term injury. They’ll need their ace 100 percent to come out of the ultra competitive American League this season.