Coronavirus Coverage

Red Sox Lefty Sale Has COVID-19, Scratched From Sunday Start

September 10, 2021

The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Sept. 6, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (Winslow Townson/AP)

Chris Sale has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his next start.

A Red Sox spokesman confirmed the result on Friday morning, two days before the seven-time All-Star was to face the White Sox in Chicago.

The result is yet another setback for the 32-year-old left-hander, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Since returning Aug. 14, Sale is 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA.

It's also a setback for the Red Sox, who entered Friday with a one-game lead over the New York Yankees for the AL's top wild-card berth. Toronto was another half-game back as it tries to swipe the second wild-card spot from its AL East rivals.

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