Chris Sale is working toward his 2022 MLB debut. Landon Bost/Naples Daily News/USA TODAY Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK

Red Sox seven-time All-Star Chris Sale nearing minor league rehab assignment

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/21/22

Chris Sale faced live hitters for the first time since February last week as he looks to make his return to an MLB mound this summer. The southpaw returned from Tommy John surgery last August but suffered a rib cage fracture in March and has been shelved for the entire 2022 season.

The seven-time All-Star's fracture healed, but Sale was then delayed an additional few weeks in early May due to a reported "undisclosed, non-COVID-19, non-baseball injury."

Two weeks ago, it was reported that the Red Sox were leaving the door open for a possibility of Sale coming out of the bullpen upon his return to the majors, but manager Alex Cora recently indicated that he wants to use the former White Sox hurler the way he's mainly pitched since entering MLB: as a starter.

On Tuesday, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe had an update on Sale's ongoing rehab.

Updating this: Per source, Sale is expected to make one more rehab start in the Florida Complex League this week before he heads to a full season affiliate to continue his rehab assignment. https://t.co/vG3EIcgtc4 https://t.co/Vod1o1Qorn
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) June 21, 2022

The 33-year-old's return would likely be a boon to the team's second-half potential playoff push, especially considering Boston recently lost 2021 All-Star starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to the injured list. Boston enters play Tuesday with a 37-31 record and in third place in the AL East.

More must-reads: