BOSTON — Chris Sale will reportedly not need Tommy John surgery despite visiting renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Monday. The pitcher was placed on the 10-Day Injured List by the Red Sox retroactive to August 14 with left elbow inflammation.
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Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the news just before 5 p.m. on Monday evening.
Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale does not need Tommy John surgery, sources tell ESPN. A follow-up today with Dr. James Andrews confirmed the diagnosis of elbow inflammation. His return date is unclear, but for Boston, this is excellent news.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 19, 2019
Story at ESPN: https://t.co/EZZrKY2Hn0
Passan also reported 90 minutes later that Sale would not return to the team for the remainder of the 2019 season.
Further details on Chris Sale, per Red Sox:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 19, 2019
- He's done for the regular season, with Dr. James Andrews recommending a re-evaluation in six weeks.
- He received a PRP shot in his left elbow. Doctors use it to promote healing.
- Even if Sox make playoffs, Sale return is unlikely.
Sale (6-11) complained of stiffness in his elbow a few days after his last start against the Cleveland Indians on August 13. In his 25 starts for the Red Sox in 2019, the lefty pitcher has amassed a 4.40 earned-run average.
Dr. Andrews confirmed the initial diagnosis of inflammation in Sale's left elbow, the team confirmed on Monday evening. The pitcher initially was set to just have his MRI reviewed by Dr. Andrews, but an in-person visit was quickly scheduled for Monday.
Official update from the @RedSox on Chris Sale. @boston25 https://t.co/aWTt8NSWDK
— Dave Souza (@dsouza4717) August 19, 2019
According to the team, Sale will be shut down from throwing due to a recommendation from Dr. Andrews. President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said in an official update that Sale will be re-evaluated in six weeks:
Sale was evaluated by Dr. James Andrews this morning in Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Andrews confirmed that Sale has inflammation in his left elbow and treated it with a platelet-rich plasma injection. Dr. Andrews also recommended a period of shutdown from throwing. Sale will be re-evaluated in six weeks by Dr. Andrews.
Cox Media Group