Ever since the Boston Red Sox traded for Chris Sale before the 2017 campaign, he has spent his fair share on the injured list.
Yes, he was great in 2017 (2.90 ERA) and helped Boston win the World Series a year later (this alone makes the trade a worthy deal), but since 2019, he has been either injured or inconsistent.
He pitched 42.2 innings last year after returning from 2020 Tommy John surgery, and when it appears he will be ready for the full workload in 2022, the Red Sox put him on a 60-day injury list with a stress fracture in his right rib.
Over the last few years, fans have had to practice patience with left-handed tackles.
However, he seems to be improving and moving forward in his rehabilitation: step by step, he is getting ready to return.
“Chris Sell threw a 15-pitch bullpen in Fort Myers on Thursday. He is continuing to build, “tweeted Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Chris Sell threw a 15-pitch bullpen in Fort Myers on Thursday. He’s going to keep building up.
– Chris Cotillo (criscotillo) May 21, 2022
The Red Sox arrow is pointing upwards
If there are no obstacles along the way, the cell may return at some point in June.
Fellow left-hander James Paxton is also rehabilitating and hoping to return in July, as the Red Sox rotation in the second half could be really dangerous.
The thing is, for Boston, a winning note and a definite chance to fight for a place in the post season will arrive in those months.
At the moment, before Monday’s game, they are 19-22, improving on arch-rivals AL East Division.
With some pitching reinforcements along the way, several sluggers have got their time back (for example, Trevor Story, similar to his best version in the last few games), and some exciting young talent among the high-minors, the Red Sox could give a surprise return to the standings.