RADIO
Chicago White Sox perennial Cy Young award contender Chris Sale has been diagnosed with an avulsion fracture to his right foot. The injury, sustained at Sale's spring training home while unloading his truck, is said to be minor and will keep Sale off the mound for three weeks.
Sale was already named the Opening Day starter for the revamped White Sox, but that start is now in question. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said "We'll have to assess how much arm strength he can build up prior to the opener." Hahn went on to note that due to the early season schedule, the White Sox would be using a four-man rotation for the first week of the season-- further emphasizing that there would be no need to rush Sale back.
The White Sox added several key components through free agency and trade this offseason, including Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, Melky Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio, and Adam LaRoche. These additions have Chicago's south side team aspiring to their first playoff birth since they won the AL Central in 2008.
While the additions to the team will almost certainly help the White Sox improve on their 73-89 record from last season, a healthy Sale will be key to making a run at the playoffs. Over the past three seasons, Sale has become a full blown ace, registering a 2.79 ERA with a 40-26 record which has been good enough to place him in the top six of the AL Cy Young race in all three seasons. The White Sox will want to make sure that Sale is full recovered to prevent any overcompensating on the mound that could lead to more serious issues.
