Chris Sale reached 96 mph with his four-seam fastball Saturday in his second rehab start for the Florida Complex League Red Sox. He went 2 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out six.
He’s lined up to make his third rehab start for Double-A Portland, then his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters, including NESN, on Saturday that Sale will throw a bullpen in Florida and then make his third rehab start in Portland this coming week.
If he starts on regular rest, he will next pitch in Portland on Thursday at Hadlock Field vs. New Hampshire.
Worcester is at home the following week. And so he could make his fourth rehab start in Worcester on July 6 vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
The Red Sox want to build up Sale to five innings before activating him. That puts him in line to possibly make his Boston 2022 debut July 11 or 12 in Tampa Bay.
Sale was between 92-96 mph with his fastball Saturday. He also mixed in a sinker (91-94 mph range), slider and changeup (85-87 mph range).
Sale began the season on the 60-day IL after suffering a stress fracture in his right rib cage. He then had his throwing program paused for a little while in May because of “a small personal medical issue.”
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