Report: Chris Sale return still uncertain for Chicago White Sox

Apr 17, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Chicago reporter Doug Padilla reported that Chicago White Sox left-handed starter Chris Sale‘s return is still uncertain.

The ESPN Chicago article stated the following:

"“His light side session Sunday was being used as a guide to move forward and not necessarily as a build-up to his eventual return. After going through the rehab process in the training room the past week, Sunday was the first time Sale had thrown a ball since his last outing.”"

Sigh, that doesn’t sound like he’ll be returning to the rotation on Saturday at Cleveland, does it?

He’s been on the DL since April 17, but it really seems like it has been longer than 10 days, doesn’t it?

Not having Sale in the lineup has made a huge difference in the rotation, and that will happen when a team doesn’t have their ace. Before landing on the disabled list with the flexor muscle strain in his left arm (his pitching arm), Sale was on a role this season with a 3-0 record and an ERA of 2.30.

Sale also has 29 strikeouts this season, with a WHIP if 0.84. The left-hander had pitched 27.1 innings before the injury.

Padilla wrote that manager Robin Ventura hadn’t ruled out that Sale can pitch next weekend.

As much as I would like to see Sale back in the rotation, I’d rather see him get 100-percent healthy, rather than rush to return and possibly sustain an injury that will really cause some problems.

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