The Atlanta Braves are confirming some fears about ace lefty Chris Sale.
Braves manager Brian Snitker, whose team clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the New York Mets in the second game of their doubleheader Monday, revealed to reporters that he does not expect Sale to pitch in the Wild Card round, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Atlanta is set to face the higher-seeded San Diego Padres (and thus will not have home-field advantage).
Sale, 35, was supposed to start in that second game of the doubleheader Monday, a must-win game for the Braves to get into the playoffs. But in an ominous sign, he was scratched shortly before first pitch with back spasms.
Though the eight-time All-Star Sale really struggled with injuries in previous seasons (including a 2020 Tommy John surgery, a 2022 rib fracture, and a 2023 shoulder issue), he managed to stay surprisingly healthy throughout this season. Sale pitched his way into NL Cy Young frontrunner status with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts (all NL-leading marks) over 177.2 innings pitched (his most since 2017).
But Sale’s health woes have now recurred at the worst possible time for Atlanta. With multiple other important Braves already finished for the season with injury, the loss of their lefty ace Sale will really put the team behind the eight-ball heading into the Wild Card round against San Diego.
