Red Sox Notebook: Alex Cora considers his starting rotation plans with Chris Sale’s return looming

The Red Sox don’t want to waste any time when it comes to bringing back Chris Sale.

If everything goes according to plan, Sale will start Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that he believes Sale, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday, will be able to come off the COVID related injured list on Friday. If he does, “there’s a good chance” the ace will pitch that night.

Sale has been quarantined at his house in Boston since testing positive but it doesn’t seem like he’ll need to throw a bullpen before returning. Cora said earlier this week that Sale, who isn’t experiencing symptoms from COVID-19, feels great, and he’s staying fresh at home.

“They got him one of those fake mounds that they have now,” Cora said. “He has that. I don’t know if it is against a net or something. He’s been able to keep his arm in shape.”

With 16 games left in the season entering Tuesday, Cora is figuring out how to maximize his rotation and take advantage of the four off days at his disposal over the next two weeks. It’s possible that a starter or two could be moved to the bullpen as the Red Sox chase a playoff spot. Cora said Sale would be excluded from that mix, which makes it sound like Nick Pivetta and/or Tanner Houck could see work as relievers.

“We’re going over the rotation,” Cora said. “Actually, we talked a little bit today, just mapping out who faces who, how many outings. It’s one of those (where) you got to be smart about it. You want certain guys to face certain teams, or you want certain guys to pitch as many games as possible. I think we’re leaning toward that one. You want certain guys to go as often as possible.

“We’ll make decisions when we have to. As of now, everything is in line. We’ll see when Chris can pitch. If it is Friday, if it is Saturday, then we’ll go from there. With how many days we have, we have two (off days) next week and then one more, that’s three, so we’ve got a chance to do that, be smart about it and maximize the whole roster.”

Cora wasn’t ready to make any final decisions, likely waiting until he has final clarity on Sale’s official return date.

“Let’s wait and see until we know more about the weekend and see how we can line it up,” Cora said. “But yeah, there’s going to be starters that are going to the bullpen, and they’re going to be very important to what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Devers works through frustration

Rafael Devers plays with his emotions on his sleeve, and they were evident more than ever in Monday’s loss to the Mariners. After popping out with Xander Bogaerts at second, Devers’ frustrations boiled over as he slammed his bat twice on the ground. His next at-bat, he took the frustrations out by smashing a home run to right to go back-to-back with Bogaerts and make it a one-run game.

The sequence was something of a microcosm of his inconsistent second half after a strong first half. Normally a big second-half performer, Devers entered Tuesday batting .258 with a .350 on-base percentage, 12 homers and nine doubles since July 16 as he continues to adjust to the way he’s getting pitched.

“It’s that fine line when they attack him and when they don’t,” Cora said. “You have men at second and no outs, he had a hanging breaking ball and missed it. Usually, he doesn’t do that. There was another at-bat that probably could have worked a walk but it didn’t happen. He’s still grinding, still working. He still understands what’s going on. There’s certain spots they’re not going to pitch to him. There’s certain spots they will. It’s just a matter of staying within himself and not trying to do too much.”

Odds & ends

Martin Perez returned after testing positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 30. Kaleb Ort was sent back to Worcester. Jarren Duran and Christian Arroyo (COVID-19) were working out with Worcester in Syracuse on Tuesday, with the hope that they’ll play Wednesday. Matt Barnes (COVID-19) will pitch with Double-A Portland in Hartford on Wednesday, with the expectation that he’ll return to Boston this weekend. …

Nathan Eovaldi will be honored prior to Friday’s game at Fenway Park as the Red Sox’ nominee for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to a player who best represents the sport of baseball with their contributions on and off the field.