Under ordinary circumstances, having nine days' rest between starts would not be optimal for a starting pitcher. But for Chris Sale, who was in the hospital briefly last weekend then lost weight he couldn't afford to lose, the time down has been beneficial.
Sale will start for the Red Sox on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series, and the fact that the Sox wrapped up their American League Championship Series Thursday, to give the team some additional recovery time, is welcome.
"I've been able to get some workouts in, threw a bullpen today and we're back on track,'' said Sale. "We're back on track and back to normal. (I've been able to) get a couple of more throwing days in. Obviously, I didn't have any part to do with (winning in five); our team played great.''
Sale threw a modified bullpen Saturday and could throw again Sunday in anticipation of Game 1.
Asked if he anticipated being 100 percent with no limitations for Tuesday, Sale responded: "Yeah ... no doubt. I feel fine, back to normal.''
As for the reasoning behind his mysterious illness, Sale gave what was apparently a bit of facetious comment.
"I had an irritation from a belly-button ring that I kind of constantly was pulling in and out,’’ Sale said. “It caused an irritation, a rash down there, so I had to take care of that. The doctors and nurses at MGH were awesome.
“Things happen. You handle them. And keep moving forward.’’
You combine that Sale's a prankster and that the Red Sox have been purposefully coy about Sale's situation ... he likely wasn't being serious.
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