White Sox's Sale slightly ahead of schedule in recovery from foot injury
The Chicago White Sox received some positive injury news Friday.
Left-hander Chris Sale threw a 60-pitch bullpen session, his first significant throwing since fracturing a bone in his right foot back on Feb. 27.
Sale was initially given a three-week timeline for a return to throwing when the injury was diagnosed on Feb. 28, putting him one day ahead of schedule.
"Sale had a really good day today ... and he remains on track to not miss significant time," general manager Rick Hahn told ESPN's Doug Padilla. "We're not going to set a specific (return) date. We're working with what we expect internally in terms of the timing of him coming back and so far, knock on wood, he is progressing as we had hoped."
Jeff Samardzija is the likely Opening Day starter for the club on April 6, but Sale could return by as early as April 12 against the Minnesota Twins.
The 25-year-old went 12-4 with an impressive 2.17 ERA in 26 starts last year for the White Sox.