Red Sox Notebook: ‘Good chance’ Chris Sale returns this weekend against Orioles

It’s possible the Red Sox could have Chris Sale back earlier than expected.

The Red Sox ace tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, which forced him to miss Sunday’s start against the White Sox. But manager Alex Cora said “there’s a good chance” Sale will be back to make his next start when the Red Sox return home for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles this weekend.

“He feels great,” Cora said. “Obviously at home and trying to do whatever he can to stay in shape baseball-wise, but I talked to him today and he was like, ‘Man, whenever the days are done, I’ll be ready.’ No symptoms, no setbacks. He just tested positive and that’s why he’s not with us.”

Sale is in quarantine at his house in Boston, which means he obviously can’t continue to pitch at a field to keep his arm in shape. But Cora thinks he has the right resources at his house to stay loose.

“I do believe he has a huge patio at the house,” Cora said. “I bet he’s either throwing rocks to the trees or throwing baseballs to a net. I believe he’ll find a way to keep his arm sound and he’ll be ready whenever he has to come out.”

Cora wasn’t sure if Sale would need to throw a bullpen before he makes a start. The manager said he needed to get more clarification on exactly when Sale can come out of quarantine.

Sawamura, Davis return

Hirokazu Sawamura and Austin Davis were both activated prior to Monday’s opener in Seattle. Sawamura had tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 31 and Davis had been on paternity leave since Friday.

The returns of both pitchers will be a boost to a bullpen that’s been depleted from the COVID-19 outbreak. Matt Barnes and Martin Perez aren’t back yet.

“It helps,” Cora said. “Obviously the swing-and-miss stuff and what Davis has done against lefties, it’s very important, especially in this series (against the Mariners). With their lefties, we’re going to be able to mix and match. I think Sawamura — obviously we hate the fact that we miss him for X amount of days, but let him recharge, reset and hopefully his fastball and split combination gets some swings and misses.”

Stephen Gonsalves and Brad Peacock were both returned to Worcester in the corresponding moves.

Perez is expected back on Tuesday after pitching a rehab outing in Worcester on Sunday, which will give the Sox another lefty arm out of the bullpen. Barnes will pitch Wednesday for the Portland Sea Dogs at Hartford in a second rehab outing and likely be activated this weekend.

Christian Arroyo and Jarren Duran are both feeling better, Cora said, but it’s uncertain when either of them will return. Cora said Arroyo is close to 100 percent.

Eovaldi stays consistent

In a season that’s included many moving parts, Nathan Eovaldi has continued to be the one constant in the Red Sox’ starting rotation. The All-Star is the Red Sox’ only starter to make all of his starts thus far. He’ll make his 29th start of the season on Tuesday night in Seattle, the second-most of his career after making 33 with the Marlins in 2014.

Everything has come together for Eovaldi this season after a career littered with injuries. And there’s a certain confidence he exudes to the team every time he steps on the mound.

“He’s been so consistent,” Cora said. “I think he understands now that it doesn’t have to be 100 all the time to get people out. He can use his other weapons, and actually he’s more efficient that way. He’s been going deep into games and what they’ve done with him, not only physically but in the training room, everything so far has been amazing. It’s a guy that, every five days, you’re looking forward for him to go out there and you feel as a manager that, OK, for six or seven innings, he’s going to be on top of the game, and then we can mix and match the last two or whatever it is. Whenever he pitches, there’s a calm sense in the clubhouse that we should be OK today.” …

J.D. Martinez, after missing three consecutive games with back spasms, returned to the lineup Monday. … Tanner Houck will pitch Wednesday’s series finale.