Sale moving back to Sox bullpen
Matt Thornton blew the save in the ninth inning, when Jhonny Peralta hit the two-run
walk-off homer in the 5-4 Tigers win, but it was likely going to be the last save
opportunity for Thornton for awhile, even before he let the game get away.
Before the game, the Sox announced that Chris Sale was going back to the bullpen, and
would likely be the new closer. Sale was 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA as a starter for the Sox, but
according to manager Robin Ventura, he had been experiencing some slight tenderness in his
elbow area after starts lately.
The Sox wanted to be preventive in their approach with the young lefty, so they made
the decision on Sale, moving Dylan Axelrod into the starting rotation. He will start there
on Sunday in Sale's spot against the Tigers.
Ventura said Sale will be available to close Monday, when the Sox play two games in
Cleveland.
"It's not disappointing to us, it's disappointing to him because this was something
he's always wanted to do," pitching coach Don Cooper said of the decision. "We're not
making this decision based on what's best for the team because obviously he's starting and
doing well and that would be a wonderful thing to keep him in. We feel we're doing what's
best for him, his career and his health. It's the best way to keep him healthy and
strong."
According to Cooper, Sale said he wasn't happy with the move, and the pitcher declined
to talk about it before the game.
"It's easier to maintain that and keeping tabs on this in the bullpen than it is as a
starter," Cooper said. "We already know he's a good left-handed reliever. That's been
proven over the past 1 1/2 years. Now we'll be trying to make him one of the best
left-handed relievers in baseball, not just in the American League. That's all we're at
with it. Chris is going to be fine. He was upset. He wanted to continue to do this. But
sometimes we have to make decisions based upon what we feel is best for that individual,
and that's what we did."
