Red Sox fans were treated to some terrible news today, as the team placed ace Chris Sale on the 10-Day disabled list.
The #RedSox today placed LHP Chris Sale on the 10-day disabled list with mild left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to July 28. To fill Sale’s spot on the 25-man roster, the club recalled RHP Brandon Workman from Triple-A Pawtucket.
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) July 31, 2018
This news wouldn’t be such a big issue, as the Red Sox are 75-33 and six games ahead of the Yankees. However, the left-hander’s next start was game one of an important four-game series against the Yankees, and Sale has dominated the Yankees all season.
The Red Sox recalled Brandon Workman from Triple-A Pawtucket, who is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA over 18 2/3 innings pitched for Boston this year. Workman will likely just be a fill in for Sale’s roster spot and not see much action, as Brian Johnson will most likely get the start Thursday against the Yankees.
With Sale pitching fewer innings this season and Alex Cora trying to steer away from his September failures, it was a surprise to see Sale head to the disabled list. The 29-year-old All-Star has been incredible this season, with an 11-4 record with an American League-leading 2.04 ERA in 22 starts this season. He leads the majors with 207 strikeouts.
Sale has a .23 ERA in his last six starts, and according to @SoxNotes twitter, since ERA became an official stat in 1913, it’s the second lowest ERA for a Red Sox pitcher over a six-start span. With Babe Ruth having the only lower ERA—0.16 in 1916.
Chris Sale has a 0.23 ERA in his last 6 starts. Since earned runs became an official stat in 1913, that is the 2nd-lowest ERA for a Red Sox pitcher over any 6-start span in a single season, trailing only Babe Ruth (0.16 in 1916). Source: @EliasSports
— Red Sox Notes (@SoxNotes) July 28, 2018
The Florida native has been virtually unhittable this year and will look to continue his Cy Young worthy season as soon as he’s back from the disabled list.
