Chris Sale Injury: Updates on White Sox Star's Foot, Ankle and Return

Chris Sale has been removed from the disabled list after recovering from a fractured foot. 

Continue for updates.

Sale Removed from DL

Sunday, April 12

"Prior to today’s game, the White Sox reinstated left-handed pitcher Chris Sale from the 15-day disabled list," the White Sox announced.

On April 8, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reported that Sale is no longer hurt and that it's "time to take the blinders off and run the race."

The news came after Sale pitched in his second minor league start, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.

On March 27, Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM and 670TheScore.com passed along comments from pitching coach Don Cooper, who said Sale was on pace for an April 12 major league start.

Sale Also Battling Sprained Ankle

Saturday, March 7

Sale has consistently been one of Major League Baseball's best hurlers since 2012, but the unorthodox lefty is once again dealing with injury concerns.

David Just of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sale has a sprained ankle to go with his fractured foot:

"Sale revealed for the first time that he has a sprained ankle in addition to the foot fracture, but the left-hander didn’t seem worried about a prolonged absence beyond the three-week recovery time."

On Feb 28, The White Sox announced the 25-year-old star suffered a fractured right foot:

The team also provided comments from general manager Rick Hahn:

Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com provided an additional statement from Hahn:

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Sale landed "awkwardly when he got off the back of his truck," while unloading items.

[...]

"We'll have to assess how much arm strength he can build up prior to the opener," Hahn said. "Due to off days early in the season, we do not need a fifth starter -- so to speak -- potentially until April 12, so that would buy you another week before going to that spot.

"But we'll see. The most important thing is that this should heal completely in three weeks and then we'll go from there."

"It was really just a freak incident," Sale said, per Padilla. "I've just done it a million times and this time it didn't work out so well. ... I mean, it's essentially a sprained ankle; I'll be fine. They aren't going to have to cut it off. It's still here. I'll be walking on it in a few days and just doing therapy."

Sale entered the 2015 season having been named to three consecutive All-Star Games. He also finished sixth or better in the American League Cy Young voting every year from 2012 through 2014.

Although he only won 12 games last season due to a lack of run support, Sale was lights out. He posted career bests as a starter with a 2.17 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The only downside of his campaign was that he was a bit banged up.

Sale has largely been healthy over the course of his career, but he was limited to 26 starts last season with a flexor muscle strain in his throwing arm.

While Sale was able to rebound and have a spectacular year, there are always concerns regarding his health due to the violence and velocity with which he releases the baseball.

Even as suggestions have been made to potentially tweak Sale's throwing motion, though, Cooper has been adamantly against doing so, per Levine.

"Anyone who would try to change what he is doing would be foolish," Cooper said. "If it ain't broke, you don't try to fix it here. Chris has put up the numbers. He is on the road to greatness. He has a chance to become a great pitcher."

This setback was certainly unfortunate since Sale enters the 2015 season with absolutely massive expectations.

The White Sox were active during the offseason, which has Sale excited about the possibility of making some noise, according to the team's official Twitter account:

Sale previously indicated he certainly wanted to contend for a playoff spot, but his eyes were on an even greater prize in the form of the World Series, per the Chicago Sun-Times on Twitter:

There is little doubt that Sale's dominance was a big reason why so many observers were bullish about Chicago's chances in the AL Central leading up to the 2015 season.

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