BOSTON – The Red Sox, winners of 10 of their last 14 matches against Tampa Bay Ray in Tuesday’s game, appear to be gaining some name-brand reinforcement in their rotation.
In his pregame media availability, Boston manager Alex Cora gave good news on the team’s injury front, telling reporters that Red Sox Chris Sales on Wednesday defined playing five innings in a minor league rehab in Worcester, Massachusetts. And if all goes well, he could be called in next week.
Cora also mentioned that this year’s club’s opening day starter Nathan Eovaldi threw two straight innings against the Heaters from the mound at Fenway Park on Tuesday. “By the stuff,” Cora said, “it was really nice.”
4-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 72 strikeouts, Eovaldi was placed on the 15-day injury list on June 9 with swelling in the lower back. At the time of the injury, the 32-year-old right-handed batsman had not allowed a single run in his last two starts.
For sale, 33, the return road is too long. Cell was sidelined all season due to a hamstring injury for Double-A Portland last Thursday. Cora said his mechanics were good in that endeavor and he felt “physically excellent.”
Cell struggled back – not getting treatment and not being a minor – he was with the club in the dugout. On Tuesday, he shared a laugh with his teammates as the Red Sox battled one of their divisional rivals.
SAIL, signed a five-year, 145 million contract until 2024, broke its rib cage in spring training. He is 114-74 in 321 major league matches with a 3.03 ERA and 2,059 strikeouts. He has made just 42 2/3 innings for the Red Sox since the end of the 2019 season.
Sales were 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in nine starts, returning from Tommy John’s surgery last year. He missed the 2020 season.
The Red Sox have seven pitchers on the injury list but their offense continues to rise to a large running condition. By Monday, they had a plus-63 run gap.
Cora also said the team hopes starter Michael Couch will be able to take the mound against first-placed New York Yankees on Friday night. Covent is not on the injury list, but the team wanted to rest their “dead arm” by leaving a turn in rotation last week. It is listed as the day of the day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.