Chris Sale. (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Red Sox ace Chris Sale is ready to return to Boston’s rotation this weekend in Baltimore after a successful bullpen session yesterday in Toronto.
"Been doing a lot of work the last week or so," Sale said. "Got off the mound today, threw right around fifty pitches. Felt good, so we're getting ready for Sunday."
Great news, since Sale leads the American League in ERA and strikeouts, and he paces the majors in WHIP. He's been dealing with left shoulder inflammation. How's he feeling now?
"Felt a little weird, obviously, getting off the mound for the first time," he said. "Spinning stuff, throwing some change-ups. Field pitches were off a little bit early, but arm feels good, that's the main step in all of this."
With Sale back, struggling southpaw Drew Pomeranz is back in the bullpen. He’s 1-5 with a 6.31 ERA after winning 17 games last season. That ERA’s climbed by three runs. That means Brian Johnson gets to stay in the rotation, and Sale believes the youngster deserves it.
"Brian's pitched really well the whole year," he said. "He's kinda had a crazy role, starting in the bullpen, back to starting. We've thrown a lot at him, he's done a really good job at that. I'm obviously appreciative of him stepping up for that."
Johnson’s 3-3 with a flat 4 ERA in 29 appearances, but it’s a 3.21 mark in eight starts. He’ll pitch next in Philadelphia.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports