Chris Sale feels as though he's getting closer to a return to the Boston Red Sox.

Sale threw two innings of live batting practice earlier this week and said he's ready to return "sooner rather than later." He believes he could be the missing piece for the Red Sox as they contend for a World Series title.

"That's the plan," Sale said. "Our staff has done a hell of a job up to this point. ... We've got the best offense in baseball and you've got to throw the ball too, and our guys have done an unbelievable job keeping us in games and putting up big starts when we need it. And for me, I just gotta come in and do my job."

Sale underwent Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020. He is potentially on track to return to Boston's rotation in August.