Red Sox Notebook: Chris Sale's Return This Season Still Uncertain ...

Will Chris Sale return to the Red Sox this season? It’s still unclear.

Five days after Sale fractured his left pinky finger in New York, the Red Sox returned from the All-Star break on Friday without certain answers on when the pitcher will be back, if at all. Sale had surgery — “an open reduction and internal fixation” of the fractured finger — on Monday in Wellesley, which was successful, and placed on the 15-day injured list Friday. How long will he be out for?

“To be honest with you, I have no idea,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

“He had the surgery,” Cora added. “I’ll know more during the week.”

Sale was making his second start of the season last Sunday after he returned from a stress fracture in his right rib cage that kept him out for the first three months.

After suffering the injury on Sunday, Sale seemed to expect to pitch again this season, estimating it would take 4-6 weeks to get moving and throwing again. Cora recounted a similar injury that Christian Vazquez suffered in 2018, when he fractured his right pinky finger. He was back in less than two months.

“But obviously this is different, right?” Cora said. “He’s a pitcher. So we’ll see. Hopefully he can get back with us and dominate and help us accomplish what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Hill throws sim game

Cora seemed very encouraged by Rich Hill’s progress after he threw a three-inning simulated game on Friday, as the left-hander works his way back from a sprained knee he suffered three weeks ago. He’s scheduled for a bullpen on Sunday and may need a minor rehab start before his return, which doesn’t seem too far off.

“He looked really good,” Cora said. “The velocity, he got up to 90, so maybe the (knee) brace is helping him out.”

With Hill and Michael Wacha — who will throw a bullpen on Saturday and then a sim game on Monday — the Red Sox’ starting pitching reinforcements seem to be on their way. Meanwhile, they’re starting two rookies against the Blue Jays this weekend, with Kutter Crawford going on Saturday and Brayan Bello likely to make his third career start in Sunday’s series finale.

Nick Pivetta will pitch Monday’s opener against the Guardians. The right-hander struggled going into the All-Star break with a 13.50 ERA over his last three starts — one against the Rays and two with the Yankees — and Cora wanted to give him an extra day.

“For a while there, he was our guy every five days, and he was the only one doing that,” Cora said. “I don’t want to say he hit the wall. There were a few things that I noticed, especially the last few games, that we could improve. But at the same time, yeah, he needed a breather, so we decided to push him back to Monday. So, hopefully that helps him out.”

Martinez scratched

J.D. Martinez was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup due to back spasms, which have come up occasionally throughout his time with the Red Sox. He was last scratched from a lineup because of back spasms in a May 22 game against the A’s.

Martinez’s removal from the lineup came after batting practice, about an hour before first pitch. Rob Refsnyder took his place as the designated hitter.

Cooperstown bound

Several of David Ortiz’s former teammates are making the trip to Cooperstown this weekend for his Hall of Fame induction on Sunday, including Jason Varitek. Varitek serves as the Red Sox’ game-planning coordinator, and needed some pushing from Cora to attend the festivities.

“He fought it a little bit, but I was like nah bro, you gotta go,” Cora said. “I think obviously he’s the captain, he means a lot to David and those teams that David played here. … From my end, I’m good with that.”

Cora said he believes Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Johnny Damon are among others heading to Cooperstown for Ortiz.

“It should be a fun weekend. The big man, he’s special,” Cora said. “I just hope he enjoys it. … Everybody appreciates David as a person and it should be a fun weekend.”

Injury updates

Trevor Story (right hand contusion) tracked pitches on Friday, but hasn’t taken swings yet so his exact return isn’t certain. … Kiké Hernández (hip) started working out in the weight room and is feeling better since getting a PRP injection in his hip. “I don’t know how long he’s going to be, but he’s moving around,” Cora said. … Matt Barnes (shoulder) was set to make a rehab appearance with Worcester on Friday. … Triston Casas returned to Worcester’s lineup on Friday after missing more than two months with an ankle injury. … Yolmer Sanchez was recalled from Worcester, with Connor Wong optioned back to Triple-A. The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now at 40, but they’ll have to make a move when Josh Winckowski comes back from the COVID-19 injured list.