BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale left Thursday's 8-2 win against the Cincinnati Reds early because of left shoulder soreness, the team announced.

Sale exited in the fourth inning with two out after walking Nick Senzel, with Boston trailing 1-0. He struck out six batters in 3⅔ innings, allowing five hits and a walk on 59 pitches.

Manager Alex Cora said after the game that Sale will get an MRI on Friday.

The 34-year-old Sale has struggled to stay healthy during the majority of his time in Boston, undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.