Chris Sale’s first rehab start was nearly perfect and Red Sox fans are stoked for his return
![BOSTON, MA - JUNE 30: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox high fives manager Alex Cora after throwing a simulated game before a game against the Kansas City Royals on June 30, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) BOSTON, MA - JUNE 30: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox high fives manager Alex Cora after throwing a simulated game before a game against the Kansas City Royals on June 30, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/559f3c757878a1e4eb6faf8f291963ea6ffeb0b4f91272ef4e273ca429f8258d.jpg)
Following Tommy John Surgery in 2020, Chris Sale made his first rehab start on Thursday and things couldn’t have gone much better.
Life sure is good for the Boston Red Sox and their fans right now. Not only is the team sitting in first place of the AL East standings, but the rotation is going to get even stronger here in the near future.
Remember Chris Sale? Of course you do. The veteran lefty unfortunately underwent Tommy John Surgery last spring, but he’s been working tirelessly to return. Well, he made his first rehab start on Thursday and it went better than expected.
Chris Sale 1st rehab assignment is over:
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) July 15, 2021
3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.
Fastball: 93-94mph
Changeup: 86-87mph
Slider: 78-79mph
Chris Sale showcased some brilliant stuff in his first rehab start
Taking the bump for the Florida Complex League Red Sox (rookie league), Sale tossed three innings, giving up no runs and four hits. He also struck out five batters and didn’t give up any walks. As you might have been able to guess, Boston fans are fired up right now.
A healthy Sale is good for MLB. Hope he gets back to the bigs without issue.
— Alex Holz (@alexbhlz) July 15, 2021
Although I will say I'm not looking forward to my Yanks seeing this.
Thats DISGUSTINGLY Filthy
— Brandy🖤💛❤️💙 (@BrandyLeigh2194) July 15, 2021
With his fastball in the mid-90s too, this of course is welcoming news for skipper Alex Cora. Sale is beloved all over Boston. As soon as the news dropped that he’d have to undergo his serious elbow surgery, hearts were broken all over the place.
Now, everyone is counting down the days for when he’ll be able to take the bump again at Fenway Park. With Boston currently 55-36 and at the top of the AL East, the fact that a healthy Sale is about to return is terrifying news for the rest of the division.
Actually, the American League as a whole should be concerned. After the embarrassing 2020 campaign where they finished in last place of the AL East, the Red Sox are now looking like serious threats to go on a deep postseason run. Adding Sale to the mix will only make things even sweeter.
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