Chris Sale thinks return may be Boston Red Sox's secret weapon

A day after throwing two innings of live batting practice, Chris Sale feels like he's getting ready to return "sooner rather than later" and that combined with the performances of the Boston Red Sox rotation already this season, he could be one of the last pieces that makes the team a strong World Series contender.

"That's the plan," Sale said when asked if he could help push the team toward the World Series. "Our staff has done a hell of a job up to this point. ... We've got the best offense in baseball and you've got to throw the ball too, and our guys have done an unbelievable job keeping us in games and putting up big starts when we need it. And for me, I just gotta come in and do my job."

Sale threw off the main mound at Fenway Park on Wednesday afternoon, throwing fastballs at 94-95 mph alongside a mix of sliders and changeups. The batting practice sessions marked the third time Sale faced batters since undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020. Manager Alex Cora called the session "eye-opening."