BOSTON

Chris Sale understands it’s a perfect time for the Boston Red Sox to be cautious with his troublesome shoulder.

He’s just frustrated that he’s back on the disabled list.

Boston returned the ace lefty to the 10-day disabled list Saturday after just one healthy start. He was already on the DL earlier this month with what the team called mild shoulder inflammation.

With Boston holding a big lead in the AL East and the best record in the majors, Sale will get some rest for what the team hopes will be a long postseason run.

Manager Alex Cora said the team wasn’t about to take any chances.

“I think it’s a smart move,” he said. “This guy is very important to what we’re trying to accomplish and if he needs to skip one, two, three (starts), whatever, we’re willing to do that. He’ll be back. Like he said, he feels better than the last time we put him on the DL, so he’ll get his rest, he’ll go through treatment and we’ll go from there.”

The 29-year-old Sale is a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award, but he understands the need to be patient this time. He said the treatments seem to be working.

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