Sale (ribs) will begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale has been out all year while recovering from a stress fracture in his right rib cage. The Red Sox went back and forth on whether he'd be best served returning as a starter or reliever but eventually decided that a return to his starting role would be best. That means he'll need quite a long rehab process, which may keep him out until sometime around the All-Star break.

Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that the Red Sox envision Sale (rib cage) serving in a starting role once he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rumors percolated earlier this month that Sale could be brought back as a reliever in order to speed up his return from the IL, but comments from pitching coach Dave Bush and now Cora have seemingly ended any speculation about the southpaw filling a bullpen role. Assuming that's the case, Sale will likely require a few weeks of ramp-up time via simulated games and a minor-league rehab assignment before he makes his 2022 debut for the Red Sox. According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Sale is scheduled to throw two simulated innings at Fenway Park on Thursday, and if all goes well, he could report to a minor-league affiliate early next week.

Pitching coach Dave Bush said Tuesday that Sale (rib cage) will throw multiple live batting practices or simulated games during the Red Sox's homestand that runs through June 22 before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. "Ideally, he'll be back as a starter," Bush said, when asked about the Red Sox's plans for Sale once he returns from the 60-day injured list.

EDGE Analysis

On the mend since mid-March from a stress fracture of his right rib cage, Sale looks to be nearing the finish line in his lengthy rehab program. According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Sale touched 96 miles per hour during his most recent live throwing session Monday, but he'll still need to show he can command and control all of his pitches as he builds up again. Bush's comments about the Red Sox ideally bringing Sale back as a starter would seem to run counter to a report last week from Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic that suggested the lefty could rejoin Boston as a multi-inning relief option as a means of expediting his return from the active roster. A move to the bullpen doesn't sound like it's being dismissed yet, but the Red Sox may prefer to wait and see how Sale fares during his rehab assignment before a decision is made on his role.

Sale (ribs) will throw to live batters for the first time Monday in Fort Myers (Fla.), Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale completed a bullpen session Friday and is ready for the next challenge in his return to the major-league roster. It is presumed Sale will need a few live-batter sessions before heading out on a rehab assignment.

The Red Sox will consider utilizing Sale (ribs) out of the bullpen to help expedite his return to the major-league roster, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Returning as a reliever would cut down Sale's return timeline, as he wouldn't need to be fully built up to a starter's workload before being activated. The left-hander has yet to face live hitters but could do so next week, and how that session goes should go a long way toward determining the next steps in his rehab program. Sale's bullpen sessions to this point have been limited to about 25 pitches, so he'll need a significant period to continue ramping up if Boston opts to immediate re-insert him into the starting rotation.

Sale (ribs) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday before progressing to live batting practice next week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander originally lined up for live batting practice Friday, but things were pushed back a few days due to a stomach bug. Sale has been slowly ramping up his bullpen sessions over the past couple weeks, and advancing to face live hitters will represent a significant step in his rehab program.

Sale (ribs) had his bullpen session pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday due to a stomach bug, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's only a temporary setback, so the left-hander is expected to quickly be back on the mound. Sale was previously on track to throw a live batting practice session Friday, assuming the bullpen goes well, but the live BP will now be pushed into later in the weekend.

Sale (ribs) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and then "hopefully" a live batting practice session Friday, according to manager Alex Cora, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday. It continues to be a gradual buildup for the veteran southpaw. We'll know if he's progressing as expected based on whether he can throw the live batting practice session Friday.

Sale (ribs) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sale didn't face any issues after throwing 25 pitches off a mound Wednesday, and he replicated that throwing session Saturday. Assuming he feels good following Saturday's bullpen, the southpaw could progress to facing live hitters next week. The 33-year-old will presumably require a rehab assignment at some point, but it's not yet clear how many minor-league outings he'll require prior to rejoining the Red Sox.

Sale (ribs) could face hitters next week, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has thrown a string of bullpen sessions this week and will throw another one this weekend before potentially ramping up his throwing program. It's unclear how many rehab outings he will need before returning from the injured list.