Chris Sale. (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Chris Sale leads the American League in ERA and the majors in strikeouts, but the seven-time All-Star will be sidelined for at least one start after being placed on the 10-day disabled list with mild left shoulder inflammation.
It's his third career stint on the DL and the first since 2015--but if you're concerned, Red Sox fans, don't be. Sale isn't.
"I'm very optimistic this is going to be a very short stint on the DL," he said. "But it being the DL, people get kind of antsy. But I'm not worried about it at all."
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Is this typical for Sale?
"Over the last couple starts, it's normal soreness in the same general areas, it was just a little more than I'm used to," he said. "It's just kind of built up over the last couple outings, and I said something, and they wanted to give it a little bit more time."
Sale said he doesn't believe the problem has anything to do with his grips or mechanics and, if he had to, he could pitch.
"I feel like if we were in a different position and push came to shove and they needed me to go out there, I would be able to make this next start," he said. "I would be pitching in two days."
Instead, Brian Johnson will start tomorrow opposite the Yankees, while Sale's looking ahead to the Blue Jays. He has a 0.75 ERA his last six starts.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports