Sports

Boston Red Sox Pitcher Chris Sale Tests Positive For COVID-19

Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his scheduled start Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

BOSTON — Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his next start.

A Red Sox spokesman confirmed the positive test on Friday morning, two days before the lefty pitcher was set to face the White Sox in Chicago.

This positive test is another setback for the 7-time All-star who missed last year's season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair a ligament in his throwing arm.

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The Red Sox will also be feeling this loss, with a current 1-game win over the New York Yankees, losing Sale will make the wild card race for the top American League spot harder as Toronto tries to take the second spot.

Boston now has eight other players remaining on its COVID injured list: shortstop Xander Bogaerts, closer Matt Barnes, starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, outfielder Jarren Duran, infielder Christian Arroyo, pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura, pitcher Martín Pérez and infielder Yairo Muñoz.

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