Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Cautious Red Sox return Sale to DL with left shoulder issue
Chris Sale understands it’s a perfect time for the Boston Red Sox to be cautious with his troublesome shoulder. He’s just frustrated that he’s back on the disabled list.
Boston returned the ace lefthander to the 10-day disabled list Saturday after one healthy start. Sale, 29, was on the DL earlier this month with what the team called mild shoulder inflammation.
Last Sunday, he was activated to face Baltimore and struck out 12 in five shutout innings, which extended his scoreless innings streak to 28. He is 12-4 with an American League-leading 1.97 ERA and 6-0 with a 0.20 ERA in his past seven starts.
With Boston holding a big lead in the AL East and the majors’ best record, Sale will rest for what the team hopes will be a long postseason run.
To fill Sale’s roster spot, right-handed reliever Brandon Workman was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. He has a 2.59 ERA in 26 appearances for the Red Sox this season.
■ Indians: Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who broke into the majors with Cleveland and hit 337 of his 612 home runs with the Indians, had his No. 25 retired by the team. The number will be displayed in Progressive Field’s upper deck between Bob Lemon’s 21 and Larry Doby’s
14. In other Indians news, right-hander Adam Plutko was recalled from Columbus, and left-handed reliever Tyler Olson was optioned to the Triple-A club.
■ Giants: Right-handed reliever Hunter Strickland, who broke his right pinkie when he punched a door in frustration after blowing a save on June 18, was activated from the disabled list and took the roster spot of rookie right-hander Dereck Rodriguez, who landed on the DL Thursday after straining his right hamstring in a brawl with the Dodgers.
■ Yankees: Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada returned to the Bronx on for the team’s celebration of its 1998 World Series title. Darryl Strawberry and Joe Torre also attended the ceremony. Derek Jeter did not make the trip because of his daughter Bella’s first birthday.
■ Nationals: Jeremy Hellickson (right wrist sprain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, fellow right-hander Jefry Rodriguez and Jimmy Cordero were recalled from Syracuse, and fellow right-handed reliever Trevor Gott was optioned to the Triple-A club.
■ Tigers: Detroit acquired right-handed reliever Nolan Blackwood as one of two players to be named from Oakland for right-hander Mike Fiers. Blackwood, 23, had a 4.08 ERA in 39 appearances with Double-A Midland.
■ Blue Jays: Right-hander Marcus Stroman (finger blister) expects to miss at least one start and is expected to land on the disabled list. Stroman said the blister is “really deep.”
■ Rockies: Right-hander Antonio Senzatela (inflamed right shoulder) was activated from the disabled list, and infielder Pat Valaika was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
■ Mariners: Matt Festa was recalled from Double-A Arkansas, and fellow right-handed reliever Christian Bergman was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
■ Royals: Jake Newberry’s contract was purchased from Omaha, and fellow righthanded reliever Jason Adam was optioned to the Triple-A club.
Review-Journal wire services