All-Star left-hander Chris Sale eyes Boston Red Sox's rotation on 2023 Opening Day after a three-year absence

After a turbulent three-year stretch filled with misfortune and bad luck, it appears as if starting pitcher Chris Sale is finally ready to return. Fans were excited to see Sale on the mound in spring training. The Boston Red Sox lefty is hoping to lead the team out on Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

Chris Sale missed most of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery and the bulk of last season due to a series of bizarre injuries. Overall, he has started just 15 games (regular season and postseason) over the previous three seasons. That is not the type of return the Red Sox were expecting when they signed him to a five-year, $145 million extension in 2019.

"Chris Sale on the mound." - Pete Abraham

Per a recent MLB article, Sale discussed his return and targets for 2023 at a recent press conference:

"I'm just trying to live up to who I need to be and that's the guy that goes out there for 30-plus starts, 200 innings and wins games."

Sale missed the start of 2022 due to a right rib stress fracture. When he did return in July, he was hit by a line drive by the New York Yankees' Aaron Hicks. That placed him back on the injured list. Any hopes of Sale returning to close out the season evaporated after a bike accident caused another injury to his right wrist.

Baseball fans (not just Red Sox fans) should be excited about Sale's return to health. During his peak, Sale was regarded as one of MLB's elite pitchers. The seven-time All-Star is a machine on the mound.

Sale has twice led the American League in strikeouts (2015, 2017) and is tied for the record for most immaculate innings pitched (3). He predominantly uses a fastball-slider combination but also has a dangerous changeup that keeps batters off balance.

Chris Sale has made just 15 starts over the last three seasons for the Boston Red Sox

Chris Sale delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium

The Boston Red Sox performed poorly in 2022. The club finished last in the AL East with a 78-84 record. They finished 21 games behind their rivals the New York Yankees.

"Chris Sale immaculate inning" - MLB

Boston will rely heavily on Sale to lead a young pitching rotation. Two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber has been brought in to provide some support to the pitching staff.

Sale is one of the few remaining pieces of the 2018 championship side. He was responsible for the first and last outs of that World Series title. 2018 seems a long time ago for Red Sox fans.

For now, Sale is confident and optimistic. If he can stay healthy and the offense can perform as expected, Boston could be a dark horse for a playoff spot.