Chris Sale won’t get the ball in Canada this week.
The Boston Red Sox ace was put on the 10-day disabled list this past Tuesday with shoulder inflammation in his pitching arm, but it was expected he only would miss his start in Thursday’s series opener against the New York Yankees.
And though the plan was for Sale to return in the Red Sox’s three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays beginning Tuesday, it appears that won’t be the case.
No Chris Sale in Toronto. Drew Pomeranz on Tuesday, Brian Johnson on Wednesday and Rick Porcello on Thursday.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) August 5, 2018
But according to reports, it appears that it isn’t a matter of a setback, rather erring on the side of caution.
Sale [and the Sox] were confident he would miss only one start with shoulder inflammation. Now, at best, it's one start with the next one pushed back.
I'm told there hasn't been a setback. They're just waiting.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) August 5, 2018
Such an approach certainly makes sense. Boston has a comfortable lead in the standings, and a three-game set against the lowly Jays probably won’t shake up the American League East too much.
Furthermore, Sale has one intensity: high. As such, it’s out of character for him to dial things back, so it’s probably best he not even pitch and just take the extra time.
