How Chris Sale Fared For Red Sox In Dazzling Return To Mound In Spring Training Debut

Sale returned to the mound for Boston on Monday afternoon

The Boston Red Sox starting rotation may end up surprising people in 2023. 

Boston's rotation struggled in 2022 with injuries and inconsistent play and should be significantly improved in 2023. One of the biggest reasons for this is the fact that unless somethings happens, Boston will have lefty hurler Chris Sale healthy for the first time since 2019. 

Sale has appeared in just 11 games since the conclusion of the 2019 season but is healthy right now and took a major step Monday by making his first start of spring training against the Detroit Tigers. 

The 33-year-old pitched two innings Monday afternoon and didn't allow a run. Sale gave up two weakly-batted hits and struck out two Detroit batters. 

Chris Sale. ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/iAMOcQrUnb

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 6, 2023

While Sale's start in general was a welcomed sight for Red Sox Nation, but of the biggest takeaways certainly was his fastball velocity. After Tommy John surgery as well as multiple freak injuries, there was no way for sure how Sale would react to game action. He shined and looked like he did before the injuries and his fastball even sat at 94-96 miles per hour. Sale's slider and changeup also both looked sharp in the small sample size. 

If Sale truly is healthy and his command is able to fully return, it may change the perception of the Red Sox in general. An All-Star season from Sale could provide Boston the much-need ace it needs right now. The rotation in general should be improved, but if Sale can be the ace again, it could take them to a whole new level. 

Boston's offense in general should be similar to what it was in 2022, so if the starting rotation can improved led by Sale, it might have a chance to earn a postseason spot down the line. 

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