Boston ace Sale to miss at least 1 start

BOSTON — Boston Red Sox lefthander Chris Sale will miss his next start and may have to go onto the injured list with a sore shoulder, manager Alex Cora said on Friday.

The seven-time Allstar, who hasn’t had an injury-free season since 2017, left Thursday night’s start against Cincinnati in the fourth inning after two visits from the medical staff. The team was awaiting the results of an MRI on Friday morning, when Cora said Sale reported soreness.

“We don’t know where we’re at, but it’s a possible IL,” Cora said before Friday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Sale, 34, has been placed on the IL in each of the last five seasons, missing all of 2020 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Twins’ injury issues continue

The Minnesota Twins reinstated second baseman Jorge Polanco from the 10-day injured list Thursday before their game against Cleveland, bringing their regular lineup nearly back to full strength.

That lasted all of four innings.

Designated hitter Byron

Buxton was hit by a pitch in the ribs in the fourth and pinch-hit for by Donovan Solano in the fifth.

Then, shortstop Carlos Correa suffered an aggravation of the plantar fasciitis in his left foot on an awkward step while warming up between innings. He was replaced by Kyle Farmer on defense for the top of the seventh, when right fielder Max Kepler was also pulled with a migraine headache. Willi Castro came in for him and played left field.

Guardians to put Quantrill on IL

The Cleveland Guardians will place starting pitcher Cal Quantrill on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, creating one opening in the rotation with the impending return of Aaron Civale and Triston Mckenzie from their injuries.

Manager Terry Francona said before the team’s game Thursday at Minnesota that Quantrill traveled back to Cleveland for an MRI exam following a season-worst outing Tuesday at Baltimore. He gave up eight runs on eight hits and two walks in 4 1⁄3 innings. Francona said he expects Quantrill, who has a 5.61 ERA in 11 starts, to be out for “a number of days, not weeks.”