BOSTON -- Red Sox ace Chris Sale was on the main mound at Fenway Park on Wednesday afternoon throwing fastballs at 94-95 mph to go along with a solid mix of sliders and changeups.

This, over two innings of live batting practice that Red Sox manager Alex Cora referred to as “eye-opening”

How so?

“Just the command of the pitches. That’s something that I didn't expect,” said Cora. “And he was able to throw fastballs inside, fastballs arm side, up and away, put people away. The changeup was good, and the slider was good.

“That’s something that, throughout the process, I do believe that that's the last thing you get. The changeup and command. And for him to be dotting pitches already, it’s a great sign.”

The BP session was the third time Sale has faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020.

When the Red Sox go to the West Coast this weekend, the plan is that Sale will go back to the team’s training base in Fort Myers, Fla., and throw another BP session there.

After that, he could be ready to go on a Minor League rehab assignment, which would set the stage for a likely return in August to Boston's rotation.

“It’s not guaranteed, yet, obviously,” Cora said of Sale’s schedule to go on a rehab assignment. “But it's trending that way. You know, we'll see how he feels tomorrow. I always said that the most important thing about this whole process is the next day or the days in between live BPs or bullpens and all that. I saw him walking by, I talked to him out there, and he feels good about where he's at, how he went about it, so we'll see what this brings.”

Without Sale, their top starting pitcher, the Red Sox notched a record of 49-31 through the first 80 games.

They would become far more dangerous with him.

“Whenever he comes [back], obviously it’s like I said before, nobody can trade for Chris Sale,” said Cora. “We can add Chris Sale to the equation, and this is a guy that is looking forward to [contributing]. He's in a great frame of mind. Physically, he looks tremendous.”

Once Sale does go on his rehab assignment, it sounds as if he will make most of his starts at Triple-A Worcester rather than moving up the ladder. Depending on Worcester's schedule, Sale could also pitch some games at Double-A Portland.

“The fact that Worcester is right here, the facilities are good, we can do the same thing we used to do in Pawtucket,” said Cora. “They get their work in here [at Fenway], and they go over there and pitch. I think that’s what [trainer] Brad [Pearson] envisions, so hopefully that’s the case.”

Franchy getting reps at first
Outfielder Franchy Cordero, who has hammered the baseball since he was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on May 26, is trying to expand his horizons defensively by doing some pregame work at first base.

“Like everybody knows, he signed as a shortstop,” said Cora. “He’s a good athlete. [Chief baseball officer] Chaim [Bloom] talked about it a few days ago. He’s going to get his work in at first, and whenever we decide for him to play at first, he’ll play it. I think versatility is important in what we’re trying to accomplish. If you can handle that position, it’s not only good for us, it’s good for him, too. Just gives us another option, another versatile player, and we’ll take advantage of that.”

Cordero is a much better fit for Boston’s current roster if he can play first base. Struggling switch-hitter Danny Santana is spotting inconsistent rookie Bobby Dalbec at first. A left-handed hitter, Cordero could be a nice complement to Dalbec.

Houck getting built up
Prospect Tanner Houck continues to build back up after missing six weeks at Triple-A with a strained flexor in his right arm.

Houck made his third start since being activated by Worcester on Tuesday, striking out four while allowing three hits and walking two over four innings.

The Red Sox could call up Houck, the team's No. 6 prospect, in the near future to spell some of the other starters. The five members of Boston’s rotation have made all of their starts this season, with the exception of Eduardo Rodriguez missing his first one after suffering dead arm in Spring Training.

Downs headed to Futures
The Red Sox were pleased to see Jeter Downs, their No. 2 prospect, selected to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game when the rosters were announced on Wednesday.

Downs, a middle infielder, was acquired from the Dodgers in the February 2020 deal that also brought Alex Verdugo and Connor Wong to the Red Sox.

“I think it’s great, honestly,” said Cora. “It’s a showcase. He’s going to be around the best of the best prospects in the league. This is a guy we believe is going to be a good big league player. Just to be in that environment, you have to be special, so I’m looking forward for Jeter to go over there and do his thing and enjoy the whole experience.”