Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale is close to throwing live batting practice.
Sale, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, will throw bullpen sessions again Tuesday and Friday.
Injured Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale looks at a bat in the dugout during a game against the Houston Astros earlier this month at Fenway Park in Boston. AP file photo
“Then from there, we’ll reassess that,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Most likely he’ll throw two live BPs the week after that.”
Cora said Sale likely will throw his first live batting practice on July 8.
Sale most likely will throw his Tuesday bullpen in Portland, since the WooSox on the road.
He threw a 45-pitch bullpen to Triple-A catcher Jett Bandy at Worcester’s Polar Park on Friday.
“It’s all part of getting back to normal. Even facing hitters. There’s a difference between throwing off the mound to a hitter and having someone in there,” Sale said in Worcester. “Obviously being able to bounce ideas off of those guys: ‘How’d it look? Did you see anything? Tipping pitches?’ Hitters can see just as much as anybody.
“Where I was a few months ago, this means the world to me. I’m more appreciative than ever of what I do and how I do it. Being able to just throw off a mound is fantastic for me.”
SEABOLD THROWS BULLPEN
Red Sox prospect Connor Seabold threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday.
The righty, who was shut down with right elbow inflammation and minor soreness in early May, began a throwing program in late May.
The 25-year-old is one of Boston’s top depth starters despite having not yet made his major league debut.
Boston acquired Seabold with righty Nick Pivetta from the Phillies for Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree last August.
BAZARDO THROWING AGAIN
Reliever Eduard Bazardo has begun a throwing program. He played catch Friday.
The WooSox placed Bazardo on the 10-day injured list May 24 with a right lat strain.
The 25-year-old has pitched three scoreless innings for the Red Sox this year. He was one of the top reliever depth options in the minors before the injury.
He has a fastball in the upper-90s and elite spin on his curveball.
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