Chris Sale made his final start of spring training, going five innings in Sunday’s 7-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The lefty, who turns 34 on Opening Day, allowed two earned runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out three.
But those numbers don’t matter at all, and not just because these games don’t count.
Christopher Allen Sale made it through an entire spring training without missing any time due to injury or illness. And now, the seven-time All-Star gets to be on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 2019. Since then, he’s undergone and rehabbed from Tommy John surgery, suffered rib, pinky, and wrist fractures, and had coronavirus multiple times. He also lived through Hurricane Ian, which devastated his home state of Florida last September.
For months, Sale has spoken of gratitude, joy, and perspective. He’s just happy to be here, really, truly here, for the first time in years.
The fiery southpaw will start the second game of the season, against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway on Saturday. Since both of his 2022 starts were on the road, it will be the first Sale Day in Boston since 2021.
Knock on wood, this is the beginning of a beautiful comeback.
Sunday was a big day for Triston Casas and Zack Kelly.
Manager Alex Cora met with each rookie, and informed them that they’ve made the Opening Day roster.
While that was already a foregone conclusion, especially in Casas’ regard, this is their first time making the club out of spring training, a significant milestone and achievement in a young player’s career.
Casas and Kelly debuted late last season. Kelly, a 28-year-old righty, made his first big-league appearance on Aug. 29, and finished the year with 13 appearances, two games finished, and a 3.95 ERA across 13 2/3 innings.
23-year-old Casas arrived on Sept. 4, and went 15-for-76 with a double and five home runs. In 27 games, he walked (19) almost as much as he struck out (23), and displayed an impressive ability to adjust quickly. He’s about to embark on his first full season as the everyday first baseman.
Rafael Devers finally got his first home run of Grapefruit League play on Sunday.
Better late than never.
After struggling in the World Baseball Classic, the superstar slugger looks ready for the regular season. He went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI before being replaced by Niko Goodrum.
Over 9 1/3 spring training innings, Kaleb Ort has allowed 10 earned runs on 14 hits, including five homers, and issued eight walks.
The 31-year-old righty debuted in 2021, making one scoreless appearance in September. He faced three batters, and recorded one out, one walk, and one hit. Thus far, he has a 6.28 ERA across 28 2/3 big-league innings, and has allowed 20 earned runs on 35 hits, issued 15 walks, and struck out 27 batters over that span.
To the surprise of many, Ort held onto a roster spot all offseason. But now that games are about to count, can the Red Sox count on him?
With their victory over the Red Sox on Sunday, the Twins officially took this year’s Chairman’s Cup.
Formerly known as the Mayor’s Cup and the Crosstown Cup, it’s an annual tradition for the two clubs that make their spring training home in Lee County’s Fort Myers.
The Twins moved to Fort Myers in 1991, with the Red Sox joining them in 1993.