Red Sox Place Chris Sale on 10-Day IL With Elbow Inflammation and He May Not Pitch Against This Year
By Parker White
If the Boston Red Sox wanted to make a playoff push with just over a month left in the season, they needed Chris Sale anchoring the rotation.
Well, they'll have to wait a little while, as the Red Sox placed Sale on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with left elbow inflammation.
The #RedSox today placed LHP Chris Sale on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to August 14.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 17, 2019
To fill Sale’s spot on the 25-man roster, the club recalled RHP Ryan Brasier from Triple-A Pawtucket.
The move is retroactive to August 14, and to take his spot on the active roster, Boston recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Sale hasn't appeared to be his dominant self this year, owning a 6-11 record with a 4.40 ERA. However, he's still mowing down his opponent at a high rate, racking up 218 strikeouts over 147.1 innings.
Red Sox Place Chris Sale On 10-Day IL With Elbow Inflammation https://t.co/cAjyed6War pic.twitter.com/l97V9sXvlS
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 17, 2019
Unless Sale is dealing with a more serious injury in his elbow, he still has the dominating stuff to shut down opposing lineup and lead this pitching staff. His violent pitching motion has long been viewed as dangerous long-term.
Bad news on Chris Sale. Per #RedSox president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski:
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) August 17, 2019
- Sale may not pitch again this year.
- Will get second opinion from Dr. James Andrews (almost never good sign).
- Left elbow inflammation is new.
Boston's 6.5 games back in Wild Card. 38 games left.
Boston is 6.5 back for a second Wild Card spot, so it might be best to give him extra time and make sure he's 100 percent. Per Dave Dombrowski, it sounds like they're taking the cautious route.