FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It may not seem like such a lofty goal for most, but in completing his final Grapefruit League outing of the season Sunday, Chris Sale accomplished an important goal: he remained healthy throughout the spring.
That was especially important after Sale missed much of the 2020 spring with elbow soreness that eventually resulted in Tommy John surgery weeks later. In 2021, he was still recovering from the procedure, and after healing, suffered a broken rib last February, even before the start of the lockout-shortened spring.
So, this wasn't anything he was taking for granted.
"Glad to kind of get a full spring out of the way and under my belt and just be ready for the season to start,'' said Sale, who allowed two runs over five innings in a 7-2 loss to Minnesota. "I really wanted to focus on getting all the way through and sharpening my tools, getting my mechanics sound. It's been a while since I've been out there competitively. Not only being able to get my mechanics down, but having some good outings and making good pitches when I needed to. It gives me confidence going into the season.
"I'm just appreciative to have the opportunity. I'm just happy to be here. I've said it a thousand times, but it's been a long time and I'm happy to have this opportunity to start the season healthy and give my team a chance to win. I haven't been able to do that for a few years. That's what I've been wanting to do. It's been eating at me. I have it now and I want to roll with it.''
Sale was pleased with his slider Sunday and the life on his fastball.
"But sound mechanics and good location, that's going to play better than anything,'' Sale said.
His first start of the season is Saturday, the second game on the schedule, and when asked how much he's looking forward to the outing, he said with a smile: "More than you know. I'm really excited for it.''
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Alex Cora revealed that reliever Zack Kelly made the team. Kelly was told the news Sunday morning.
Kelly appeared in 13 games last season for the Sox, with a 3.95 ERA. Cora indicated that Kelly would join Josh Winckowski as multi-inning relievers, giving the Sox some length in the bullpen.
With Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, John Schreiber, Richard Bleier and Ryan Brasier set, that leaves one bullpen spot still up for grabs. Contenders include righthanders Kaleb Ort and lefties Ryan Sherriff and Oddanier Mosqueda.
Ort allowed a homer, making it five allowed in 91 innings to go along with 10 earned runs and 14 hits with eight walks.
Other decisions that have to be made: Connor Wong vs. Jorge Alfaro for the backup catcher's spot, Dalbec vs. Yu Chang for the utility infield spot, and the identity of the second backup outfielder. Raimel Tapia leads that competition, but he's a non-roster invitee and has an opt-out that kicks in Monday. He has not yet been guaranteed a spot.
"We're still working on stuff,'' said Cora in regard to Tapia. "He's done everything possible. But we've got guys that are good players, too. So we'll make decisions when we have to make them.''
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The Sox had a scare in the fourth inning when Kiké Hernandez was hit just above the right wrist by a pitch. He remained in the game on the bases, but was replaced the next half inning at shortstop by Bobby Dalbec. The Sox announced it was a right contusion. "He's OK,'' said Cora. "He should be OK. Probably, he'll play (Monday against the Atlanta Braves). Reliever Richard Bleier took a comebacker off the left knee in the seventh, but Cora said he, too, was fine.... It took until the third-to-last Grapefruit League game of the spring, but Rafael Devers finally connected for his first homer -- a solo shot in the fourth inning.... James Paxton (hamstring) will pitch Wednesday along with Garrett Whitlock in a minor league camp game, a day after the rest of the Red Sox leave for Boston. Paxton is building back arm strength after being sidelined earlier in camp and could rejoin the parent club late next month.... Jansen, who came out of Friday night's game feeling lightheaded, is expected to pitch in a game Monday. He was improved Sunday.