Seven-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale has pitched in two games after returning for the Boston Red Sox after missing the majority of the 2022 MLB season, first with a right rib fracture, then with a broken finger. But the team revealed a crushing diagnosis for the veteran pitcher on Tuesday after an injury that he suffered off the field. This latest injury will end his season, and could put his MLB future in jeopardy.
The team posted a statement on their social media on Tuesday that Sale has undergone surgery for a broken wrist that he suffered in a bicycle accident on Saturday.
“On Monday, August 8, Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Chris Sale underwent an open reduction and internal fixation of a right distal radius (wrist) fracture. The procedure was performed by Dr. Matthew Leibman at the Newton-Wellesley Outpatient Surgery Center in Wellesley, MA.
“Sale suffered his injury during a bicycle accident on Saturday, August 6. He will miss the remainder of the 2022 season but is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training in 2023.”
Chris Sale Undergoes Successful Surgery: pic.twitter.com/FeIDLh6ue2
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 9, 2022
It is an extremely unfortunate diagnosis for Sale (seen above during a July 12 game), who has only pitched in 48.1 innings in the last three seasons due to a number of unfortunate injuries.
This follows Sale breaking his pinky finger in a July 17 start against the New York Yankees, where he took a line drive off his finger that caused him to exit the game.
Sale was already expected to miss significant time due to the finger injury, but it will now be guaranteed that he will not return this season thanks to the broken wrist.
Many around the MLB world reacted to this latest addition to Sale’s list of injuries.
Chris Sale finding new ways to break every bone in his body is a great bit. Credit where it's due. https://t.co/OyxkvO6P3O
— Justin Leger (@justinjleger) August 9, 2022
#RedSox announce Chris Sale fractured his right wrist in a Saturday bicycle accident. He's undergone surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2022 season.
Sale already dealing with a fractured left pinkie. His brutal run of injuries continues. https://t.co/n5JjagrAVT
— Bill Koch (@BillKoch25) August 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/mkarolian/status/1557014527287476225
Dude. https://t.co/ZIsbguznFD pic.twitter.com/6MMosPxTK1
— Ali Thanawalla (@Ali_Thanawalla) August 9, 2022
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) August 9, 2022
Beginning to think there's something about the name Chris https://t.co/AGgOydNYNG
— Chris Deeley (@ThatChris1209) August 9, 2022
The Red Sox are currently in last place in the ultra-competitive American League East division, with a record of 54-56 through Monday. This news will certainly make things even worse for the struggling team as they attempt to claw their way back into a playoff spot in the American League.
[Boston Red Sox, MassLive.com; photo from Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA Today Sports]
