Sale seems just about ready to start rehab

BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on NESN’S pregame show on Friday night that Sale — who pitched to hitters on Thursday at Fenway Park — flew down to Fort Myers, where he will pitch two innings on Monday in a Florida Complex League game.

“That’s the beginning of hopefully his rehab assignment,” Cora said on NESN. “I do believe that’s the plan now. From there, it’s just a countdown.”

Sale pitched to live hitters on Monday in Fort Myers for the first time since he suffered a stress fracture in his right rib cage in February, and touched 96 mph with his fastball. His session on Thursday seemed to be more encouraging than expected. Cora said after that he thought Sale would pitch another live BP on Sunday or Monday before heading to Fort Myers, but he headed down sooner.

The Red Sox are certainly not rushing Sale’s rehab, however. The lefty is being built up as a starter and Cora told NESN that the plan is for him to be stretched out to five innings in a minor league game before he’s activated.

Time off may aid Barnes: Matt Barnes has put in nothing but consistent work since last August in an effort to correct his puzzling struggles. But could a little time away also benefit the Red Sox reliever?

Barnes has now been out for more than two weeks since suffering shoulder inflammation that landed him on the injured list, and his return is not imminent. But when he eventually is back, the hope is that he’s not only healthy but rejuvenated, with the idea that something of a reset and clean slate will help get him back on track.

“I believe so,” Cora said. “He’s the first one to admit he’s been struggling. He hasn’t been to this point in his career. He’s always been good. Just to be away, it always helps. Getting his arm where it should be is the priority but also working on a few things mechanically is going to help.”

Barnes is back with the Red Sox this weekend. His birthday is Friday (he turned 32), the team’s family day is on Sunday, and that coupled with his rehab progress should help his spirits. He threw up to 90 feet on Thursday, and is expected to throw 110 feet on Saturday before potentially getting on a mound by early next week.

Eovaldi taking it slow: It doesn’t appear likely that Nathan Eovaldi (lower back inflammation) will be ready to return when he’s eligible to on June 24. The right-hander has not resumed baseball activities.

“Seems like Nate is slower than we expected right now so we’ll see how he reacts today and tomorrow and over the weekend with treatment,” Cora said.

Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) has been playing catch but not yet thrown off a mound, Cora said.