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Sale relieved after TJ surgery: 'I've been chasing a ghost for 7 months'

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of March, and he already has his eyes set on a return to the mound.

Sale is set to have his cast removed Thursday and is in good spirits in spite of losing the 2020 season.

"I'm actually really happy with where I am right now," he said, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. "I've been chasing a ghost for seven months now."

The 31-year-old was limited to 147 1/3 innings across 25 starts - career lows since becoming a full-time starter in 2012 - due to elbow inflammation. At the time, it was deemed that he did not require Tommy John surgery. He finished the campaign with a disappointing 6-11 record and 4.40 ERA.

"The thing I was upset with the most is that I truly thought I was in the clear," he added. "I had all the confidence in the world coming into (spring training) that my arm was going to be as good, if not better, than it was my entire career."

The seven-time All-Star said he's hopeful that he'll be able to go back to the Red Sox's training facilities at JetBlue Park to resume training ahead of his return in 2021. If the COVID-19 shutdown prevents them from re-opening, Sale said he has appropriate tools to do some work at home.

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