FORT MYERS — Chris Sale’s final spring training tune-up became a true hold-your-breath moment for the Red Sox yesterday. At least until Sale said to breathe easy.
A first-inning line drive drilled Sale’s hip and sent the Red Sox ace tumbling to the ground where he stayed in obvious pain as the ball rolled away. When Sale stood up, he limped to the back of the mound then doubled over again.
“It looked a lot worse than it actually is,” Sale said.
Diagnosed with a bruise, Sale left the game under his own power and precautionary X-rays were negative.