Chris Sale Must Do One Thing Before Rejoining Red Sox, Dave Bush Says

Chris Sale seemingly has been making progress on the comeback trail, but the latest update from Boston Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush indicates the team is trending toward a slower road back for the ace.

Sale tossed a simulated game Monday in Fort Myers, Fla.He’ll get the ball Saturday for another two-inning stint, according to manager Alex Cora. If all goes well, he’ll be assigned to the minors for rehab.

But once he’s there, he’ll have a ways to go. Bush told reporters Wednesday Sale will need to last five to six innings in a rehab start before he’s activated to the majors.

There’s really no need to rush Sale back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2020. Without one of the best hurlers in MLB, the Red Sox made it through the first half of the season on pace for 100 wins. The pitching staff was a major part of it, with a rotation headed by Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi. And when the starters faltered, the bullpen was there to back them up.

In the interim, Bush also teased the return of Tanner Houck, whose presence might help prevent the rotation from burning out heading into the second half of the year. Houck has made four starts for Triple-A Worcester since returning in June from a flexor tendon strain that kept him out a month.

At the rate the Red Sox are going, it seems like a better idea to not force a return and preserve a recovered Sale for a postseason run.