May 28--Chris Sale will pitch on Sunday against the Royals, as originally planned, manager Robin Ventura said on Friday.
After Thursday's rainout, the rotation was moved back a day, meaning Sale would pitch against the Mets on Monday in New York in an ESPN game.
Ventura said Friday he simply changed his mind, but pitching coach Don Cooper said he never had Sale going on Monday.
"I'm a little confused, to tell you the truth," Cooper said. "I don't know what you guys were thinking or writing or whatever."
Ventura did not speak to the media after the rainout, but relayed the information about the rotation plans through a spokesman.
Asked if there was some miscommunication, Ventura replied: "No miscommunication. By the time we left (Thursday) night, we just kind of pushed everybody back. We talked about some more and I just think this is a better plan.
"He didn't throw very much (Tuesday). We've got a division team. A lot of things go into it. Just keep it on schedule. Keep him pitching. It's that simple. It didn't seem like that big a deal to me that today we have him go Sunday."
Mat Latos will be moved back in the rotation instead. The Sox will start Jose Quintana on Monday, Latos on Tuesday and Miguel Gonzalez on Wednesday.
Sale had his first bad outing of the season on Tuesday against the Indians, allowing six runs on seven hits 3 1/3 innings, suffering his first loss in ten decisions.
"Listen, he was out of the game quicker than usual the last time," Cooper said. "So we can do it. We feel good with Sale against anybody. Division thing, that may have had something to do with it."
Ventura said there were "plenty of options" for him to consider, but he decided throwing Sale against the Royals was the best one.
"We play these guys a lot, they're in your division," he said. "You have a chance for him to still go out there. You look at it, what he did the other day. So it just made a little more sense to go Sunday."
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