Red Sox will bring back Chris Sale as ‘opener’ Tuesday

The Boston Red Sox are easing Chris Sale back into action.

Manager Alex Cora announced Friday that the Red Sox will use their left-handed ace as an “opener” on Tuesday, throwing him for roughly 40 pitches or two innings of action.

Some #RedSox news:
Dustin Pedroia will not return this season. Sox also revealed he had further surgery at the end of July … Chris Sale will be the “opener” on Tuesday. Two innings and 40 pitches maximum. He will build up an inning at a time every 5 days there from there.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) September 7, 2018

Sale is dealing with some inflammation in his left shoulder. The issue first flared up in late July, and he made one five-inning start on Aug. 12 before returning to the disabled list with the same issue. They’re moving more slowly bringing him back this time, not putting any timetable on it and using him for brief stints to ensure that he’s completely ready for the playoffs.