Details Finally Emerge on Chris Sale's Elbow Injury

The Boston Red Sox have decided to send fans into pandemonium by waiting as long as possible to reveal the official results from the various tests that Chris Sale was advised to undergo for his sore elbow, waiting for three separate opinions, then still shrouding themselves in secrecy.

Up until Thursday, all we knew was that the 30-year-old southpaw was able to avoid Tommy John Surgery for the time being.

Now, however, the Red Sox have given the people what they want. Sale has been diagnosed with a flexor strain and will be reevaluated in a week.

Now, was that so hard?

Sale was never expected to be ready for Opening Day as a result of his extended recovery from the flu and pneumonia, but this report confirms that the seven-time All-Star will begin the season on the injured list for an entirely different reason.

Though this is undeniably good news for Boston in that its oft-injured ace avoided the worst, Sale is far from out of the woods. Elbow injuries are never simple, especially with pitchers. The club will have to hope that the former No. 13 overall pick experiences zero discomfort when he resumes throwing in a week. Flexor strains, of course, do often lead to the dreaded TJS.

Only then will we know the severity of Sale's injury. In the meantime, stay tuned for further updates on the left-hander's recovery.