Sale feeling better, 'ready for his next start'

Chris Sale appears ready to return to the mound.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Thursday that Sale, who was scratched from his scheduled American League Championship Series Game 5 start after a stomach illness sent him to the hospital earlier in the week, is now feeling better.

He's now in line to start either Game 6 of the ALCS, which would take place Saturday in Boston should the Houston Astros extend the series Thursday, or Game 1 of the World Series if the Red Sox advance.

"Chris is feeling a lot better," Cora told reporters, according to Newsday's Erik Boland. "I saw him in the morning. He felt that he was better than yesterday, and he came here after 1:00 and he feels good. ... So he's ready for his next start."

Sale threw off flat ground at Minute Maid Park ahead of Thursday's pivotal ALCS contest. It was his first action since rejoining the team in Houston following his illness.

Sale started Game 1 of the ALCS the day before he went to the hospital and allowed a pair of runs while walking four and hitting a batter in his four innings of work. The outing marked his shortest career postseason start.

David Price was moved up in Boston's rotation due to Sale's illness and will start Game 5 of the ALCS on three days' rest.

The Red Sox lead the series three games to one and can clinch their first AL pennant since 2013 with a win Thursday.