Chris Sale Suffers Left Pinkie Fracture

Update: Sale will reportedly underwent surgery on his fractured pinkie finger. Surgery helps to stabilize the fracture and should allow him to return within the original estimate. Our team of Pro Baseball Docs expect him back within four-to-six weeks.

Red Sox southpaw starter Chris Sale walked off 0.2 innings into his second start of the season Sunday after suffering a pinkie fracture in his throwing hand. 

Along with the clear dislocation of his left pinkie finger, Sale has a proximal phalanx fracture and will require surgery to fix the break. He will be placed on the 15-day IL and should be able to return in about a month because the pinkie is not heavily involved in gripping the baseball.

Chris Sale Injury Update

Following initial fears of another severe injury and absence for the oft-injured Sale, the Docs are hopeful that this fracture isn't season-ending. 

Sale took a line drive comebacker from Aaron Hicks and immediately left the contest after showing his visibly bent finger to the Red Sox trainers.

He was later seen donning a soft wrap and splint on his left hand before the Red Sox announced the confirmed fracture.

The finger injury will likely require pins and screws but should heal quickly, leading to a return in a few weeks. 

The pinkie finger isn't intimately involved in a pitcher's grip and motion, which helps with the recovery and return.

The 33-year-old returned from a rib stress fracture last Tuesday, striking out five Rays in five shutout innings.