Chris Sale 'Should Be Fine' After Hospitalization for Illness, Alex Cora Says

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Monday that ace starter Chris Sale was hospitalized with a stomach illness but added that Sale is expected to be fine.

"He was feeling bad and he's at the hospital," Cora said. "From what I know it's nothing serious, but whenever you have to go to the hospital you have to be, quote-unquote, worried. He should be fine; hopefully we get news in the upcoming hours and he'll join us in Houston."

The Red Sox also released a statement regarding Sale's illness Sunday night: 

The 29-year-old was Boston's ace once again in 2018, going 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 237 strikeouts in 158 innings. He struggled in Boston's Game 1 loss to the Houston Astros on Saturday night, however, giving up two runs on one hit and four walks while throwing 86 pitches in just four innings before being pulled.

But Cora told reporters that Sale wasn't affected by the illness Saturday, noting that he began feeling sick at some point after his Game 1 appearance.

The next three games will be played in Houston, with Game 3 on Tuesday, Game 4 on Wednesday and Game 5 on Thursday. Nathan Eovaldi will get the Game 3 start for Boston, with Sale likely to start Game 5 for the Red Sox.