Chris Sale exited Sunday’s start against the New York Yankees in the first inning after a line drive by Aaron Hicks hit him in his pitching hand.
Hirokazu Sawamura replaced the Boston Red Sox pitcher, who was diagnosed with a fractured fifth finger on his left hand.
Tough break for Sale who had just made his 2022 season debut last week, firing five scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The 33-year-old hasn’t appeared in more than 30 games since the 2017 season and didn’t pitch at all during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign after having Tommy John surgery.
The Red Sox are 48-44 this season, which is good enough for fourth place in the American League East.
