Sale averaged 91.8 mph on his fastball Thursday, down significantly from the 94.5 mph he flashed in his first start off the injured list last Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Neither Sale nor manager Alex Cora were overly concerned. The pitcher was pleased he was able to fight through the diminished velo and made pitches when he had to. The left-hander wasn't fully built up when he started last week and was pulled after 58 pitches. On Thursday, he got up to 65 pitches when Cora pulled him in the fifth inning after Sale gave up a pair of walks.

Sale (5-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

After walking Jeter Downs to open the inning, Sale was plagued by two fielding errors from his defense in the bottom of the third, which would lead to the first run coming across for the Nationals. The veteran lefty would then be relieved by Josh Winckowski with one out in the fifth, after issuing two walks to begin the frame. It's been a tough go for Sale this season as he's failed to make it through five innings in either of his last three starts, dating back to June 1. On a positive note, he has not allowed more than two hits in either of his two starts since returning from the shoulder injury.

Sale allowed two runs on one hit over 4.2 innings in Friday's win over Detroit. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Sale looked strong in his first start since June 1, tossing four shutout frames before the Tigers broke through in the fifth inning. He threw 42 of 58 pitches for strikes, including 12 whiffs. Over his last seven starts, the 34-year-old southpaw has posted a 2.43 ERA with a terrific 48:5 K:BB across 40.2 frames. Sale should have a longer leash in his next start, which is lined up to be next week in Washington.

Sale (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale will make his long-awaited return to the Red Sox' rotation following a two-month absence due to a stress reaction in his left scapula. The veteran left-hander threw just 54 pitches in his second of two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester and is expected to be limited to around four innings against Detroit on Friday.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Sale (shoulder) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Tigers at Fenway Park, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale built up to just 53 pitches over his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester, but the Red Sox won't have the veteran southpaw waste any more bullets in the minors after he was electric in his most recent outing Sunday, when he struck out seven and walked none over 4.1 scoreless frames. Since he's not yet fully stretched out for a traditional starting role, Sale could be capped at around 70-to-80 pitches Friday and may be deployed in tandem with another pitcher, but he could still have a long enough leash to hit the five innings he needs to qualify for a win. Sale's upcoming start will be his first with the Red Sox since June 1 after a two-plus-month recovery from a stress reaction in his left scupla.

Sale (shoulder) threw 53 pitches over 4.1 scoreless innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and issued no walks.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander threw 40 pitches across two frames during his first rehab outing last week, and he continued ramping up his workload Sunday. The Red Sox haven't officially indicated when Sale will return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin the big-league rotation, but he could do so as early as next weekend against the Tigers. If activated during the upcoming week, Sale will likely be on a limited pitch count in his first start and could be piggybacked by a reliever.

Sale (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale battled some command issues in his rehab debut Tuesday with Worcester, yielding two walks over two innings, but he gave up only one hit and didn't allow a run while striking out three of the nine batters he faced. Out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula, the veteran left-hander is tracking toward a return to the Red Sox rotation around the weekend of Aug. 11.

Sale (shoulder) allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three over two innings for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Lauren Campbell and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Sale threw 40 pitches (26 for strikes) in his first game action since June 1. "He was all over the place, with (a few) walks," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "But he feels good about his mechanics, feels good about his arm. Now it's a matter of harnessing the stuff in the strike zone." The left-hander's fastball reached 96 mph, and he was encouraged by some aspects of his performance. "Obviously, had a couple walks. But, for the most part I was mainly around the zone," Sale said. He'll work on whatever issues led to the high number of balls and two walks ahead of his next rehab start for the WooSox on Sunday.

Sale (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale is scheduled to pitch three innings for the WooSox, then make a second rehab start the following Sunday. At that point the Red Sox will reassess the left-hander and decide on the next step. It's possible Sale could rejoin Boston's rotation as soon as the team's series against the Tigers, which begins Friday, Aug. 11. Red Sox manager Alex Cora previously stated the club is considering bringing Sale back before he's completely built up. If he does return for the series with the Tigers, Sale could be used as an opener who would go three or four innings, then pitch deeper into games as he builds arm strength.