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Cora could use Sale as reliever after all: 'We changed our mind'

Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has changed course and is now willing to use left-hander Chris Sale out of the bullpen during the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"We changed our mind," Cora said Sunday, according to MassLive's Christopher Smith.

Cora said Saturday that the left-hander wouldn't come out of the bullpen for health reasons.

Sale was pulled in Game 2 after surrendering five earned runs over just one inning Friday.

The 32-year-old returned to Boston's rotation in mid-August after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.16 ERA over nine regular-season starts, but the seven-time All-Star has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 8 2/3 innings combined against the Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Nationals.

Cora added that pitchers Nick Pivetta and Eduardo Rodriguez could also work out of the bullpen Sunday.

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