‘Left-handed fireballer’ Chris Sale (34. Boston Red Sox), who has been slowed down by a series of injuries and accidents, has revealed his will to revive.
In an interview with local media such as ‘MLB.com’ on the 22nd (Korean time), Sale said, “I have more motivation for my teammates, coaching staff, club and fans. You know I owe everyone something. As a starting pitcher, I was indebted to my teammates, club and fans.”
Sale, who was the ace who led Boston to win the World Series in 2018, signed a five-year, $145 million extension with Boston in March 2019. There was also an opt-out clause that allowed him to become a free agent after the 2022 season with a contract that began in 2020, but Sale did not implement it.
This is because he could not show his skills due to injury during the extended contract period. Sale, who suffered an elbow injury in August 2019, underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and was out for the season from the first year of his extended contract. He returned in the second half of 2021 and threw 9 games, but last year also ended with just 2 appearances.
He returned in July after suffering a rib stress fracture before the season, but had the misfortune of breaking his left little finger hit by Aaron Hicks’ offensive ball in his second game against the New York Yankees on July 28. Then, on August 7, during his rehabilitation, he broke his right wrist in a bicycle accident. In the end, the season ended with surgery without a comeback within the season. 토토사이트
For three years after the extension, Sale only pitched a total of 48⅓ innings in 11 games. Sale, who did not opt out, seeks a comeback in Boston with an annual salary of $ 27.5 million in 2023-2024.
Sayle said of the bike accident, “I remember that day vividly. It was a really good day, and I played catch for the first time after finger surgery. The exercise went well, and I felt good,” he said. “I called a friend, decided to have lunch, and rode my bike down the hill. I know the steering wheel bent hard to the left, but I was thrown to the ground as if I was going in the other direction.”
“I need to stay away from the bike and bad luck,” said Sale. “After the season, I rested at home and started playing catch earlier than usual. This year, my goal is to go to the game every five days and throw the ball. It was hard because I couldn’t do that for a long time, but this year the opportunity came. I am in good shape right now, and I look forward to spring training after a long time,” he said, confident of his comeback with a healthy body.