The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)

SALE EXCITED TO MAKE SPRING DEBUT FOR SOX

Boston newcomer slated to make first start for new team on Monday

- By The Associated Press

Yet to pitch in an exhibition, Chris Sale threw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday morning in preparatio­n for his first spring training action for the Boston Red Sox.

While the Red Sox traveled to Sarasota to face the Orioles, Sale faced teammates Dan Butler and Steve Selsky, with catcher Sandy Leon behind the plate and David Price and Steven Wright watching from the third base dugout. After two innings, Sale threw to three additional batters as pitching coach Carl Willis, vice president of pitching developmen­t and assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister looked on along with former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.

“Felt good,” Sale said. “Today was a good work day. Great to pitch on the game mound with no screen. Everything went well.”

Acquired Dec. 6 from the retooling Chicago White Sox for four top prospects, Sale threw 38 pitches. There was some solid contact in the first inning, when Butler lined what would have been a single to center.

“Threw all of my pitches,” Sale said. “In the second inning focusing mostly on fastball/changeup. Those are my feel pitches, so I just wanted to throw those more, just

for repetition.”`

Sale is slated to start Monday against Houston in West Palm Beach.

“I think I was ready on Dec. 7,” Sale said. “I’ve been preparing for this, so I’m feeling good. Everything is going as planned.

The left-hander, who turns 28 on March 30, is part of a rotation that includes Rick Porcello and Price.

“Now we’re starting to playing real baseball and not throwing off the side mounds or simulated games,” Sale said. “I’m excited. It will be fun.”

He has never pitched in the postseason. The Red Sox, swept by Cleveland in the AL Division Series last year, hope to win their fourth World Series title since 2003.

“I have expectatio­ns for myself wherever I am or whatever year it is,” Sale said. “I’ve been like that at a young age. I demand a lot of myself at a high level. If I don’t meet those expectatio­ns, there’s nobody more upset than I am. For right now, just putting in the work to get to the promised land.”

His rotation mates include the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner (Porcello) and the 2012 honoree (Price).

“We like to give each other a hard time and then pick each other up when we need to be picked up,” Sale said. “I think it would be hard not to try to raise the bar and push each other. These guys have been around longer than I have and have a lot cooler list. Being able to bounce ideas off these guys and learn from them and not only that, they’ve been here for a couple of years and they know what it’s like to go through a full season here.”

Mets progressin­g

For Lucas Duda and Zack Wheeler, just getting back on the field was a positive sign.

Part of the banged-up brigade for the New York Mets last year, both Duda and Wheeler said Wednesday that they’re making progress in their return from injuries.

Duda resumed full baseball activities after being slowed by back and hip issues. After a morning workout, the powerhitti­ng first baseman said he wasn’t sure when he’ll make his spring training debut in a game.

“I don’t want to say two days, three days, then it be four or five, but we’ll take it day-by-day,” Duda said.

Duda had been sidelined at the plate since last week, when he took too many swings in batting practice. He received cortisone shots in both hips, waited a couple of days for them to take effect and was restricted to fielding grounders.

The 31-year-old Duda hit .229 with seven home runs last year while being limited to just 47 games because of a stress fracture in his back.

“Today (is) a normal day,” he said. “We took a little bit of time because we were afforded that luxury. We’ll get back at it today and see how it goes.”

“It’s nice to come to the field and get to play baseball. I’ve been doing defensive stuff. Today is the first day and we’ll see where I’m at,” he said. “I felt great (early in camp). It was just a spasm, so we treated it very gingerly and kind of took our time. There’s no issue.”

Spring roundup

CARDINALS 6, METS 1 >> St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez allowed only one hit over three innings. Randal Grichuk homered, doubled and drove in four runs.

Cardinals prospect Luke Weaver got two outs before exiting with back spasms.

Highly touted Amed Rosario had two hits for the Mets. Michael Conforto kept up his strong spring with another twohit game. ORIOLES 12, RED SOX 5 >> Adam Jones hit two homers and drove in three runs and Orioles starter Dylan Bundy gave up one earned run in two innings.

 ?? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale will make his spring training debut on Monday against Houston.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale will make his spring training debut on Monday against Houston.
 ?? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Chris Sale stands with teammates during a workout.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Chris Sale stands with teammates during a workout.

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