Alex Cora: Chris Sale’s next rehab start ‘most likely’ to be last before Red Sox return

If everything continues to go well this weekend, Chris Sale should be in a Red Sox uniform and pitching in a game at Fenway Park next week.

Sale will make his fifth rehab start in his return from Tommy John surgery on Saturday when he pitches for the Triple-A WooSox on Saturday in Scranton. It could be his last before his long-awaited return to the Red Sox.

“I don’t want to say 100 percent, but the way things are trending, most likely,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

If Saturday is indeed his last rehab start, Sale could make his return during the Red Sox’ seven-game homestand next week. If they start him on five days’ rest, it could come in next Thursday’s series finale against the Rays. Or, if they elect to give him more rest, it could come in the three-game weekend series versus the Orioles.

Sale, who pitched well in five innings last Saturday in Worcester, will pitch on a full week’s rest this Saturday, a decision Cora said was rooted in the schedule after an off day Monday and a travel day this week.

Schwarber’s first impression

Cora said Kyle Schwarber’s progression continues to be better than the Red Sox thought as he returns from a hamstring injury. There’s no timetable yet on when a rehab assignment will come, but Cora doesn’t expect it to last long when it does.

In the meantime, Schwarber is participating in workouts with the team and getting some early drill work at first base, a position he’s learning to play for the Red Sox.

“He looks good,” Cora said. “One thing he does good as an infielder is he reacts to the bounce and tries to go get it. He moves well. Will (Venable) mentioned that’s something he really liked about his outfield work, he was able to get a good hop and he has good footwork.

“Obviously it’s a lot different at first base, but from what I’ve seen, it’s been good. Obviously there’s a lot of stuff that goes into a game that he needs to learn and get in tune with, but so far it’s been positive.”

Injury report

Darwinzon Hernandez, who was placed on the injured list last week with an oblique injury, may be out longer than the Red Sox thought. Cora said the reliever is going to get an MRI on his oblique.

“He went from something that we felt like he was going to be back soon (to) now, he’s in pain, he’s a little more sore, so we’ve got to do other testing to see where we’re at with him,” Cora said.

Ryan Brasier is pitching a bullpen in Worcester on Wednesday and will throw to live hitters after that, and if everything goes well, could see a rehab assignment soon as he returns from getting hit in the head by a line drive two months ago.

“I’m very surprised, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “Pleasantly surprised that he’s doing so well and things are trending in the right direction.”

Christian Arroyo (hamstring) and Danny Santana (quad) have not begun baseball activities yet but started running, Cora said. … Matt Andriese (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a two-inning BP on Wednesday.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3jlWJtG