Fri Aug 15 | 12:23 | Chris Sale Could Return Next Week |
Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale (ribs) could come off the 60-day injured list and return to the majors next week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Sale is scheduled to make his second Triple-A rehab start on Sunday, and unless he and the Braves decide he'll need a third tune-up in the minors, he'll rejoin the Braves' rotation. The reigning NL Cy Young winner suffered a fractured rib cage in a start against the New York Mets on June 18 and has missed about three months as a result. Sale was brilliant in that game, a 5-0 victory, as he fired 8 2/3 scoreless innings of five-hit ball with seven strikeouts against one walk. That was just one of several tremendous starts Sale turned in before going on the IL. The 36-year-old owns a 2.52 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 114:26 K:BB across 89 1/3 innings this season. While the Braves are out of contention, Sale's return could be huge for fantasy managers. |
Source: David O'Brien - The Athletic | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Aug 13 | 20:26 | Chris Sale Throws Two Innings in Rehab Start with Triple-A Gwinnett |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) pitched two innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. He gave up three hits, one run, with a pair of strikeouts, getting up to 40 pitches. Sale averaged 93.9 mph with his fastball, which was down from his 95 mph season average. The southpaw is likely to make two more rehab starts before joining Atlanta's rotation. Sale was following up his monster 2025 season this year until he went down with a fractured left rib in June. He was (5-4) with a K/9 of 11.49, which was his highest since 2019. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Sale as he's expected to be reinstated from the IL soon. |
Source: MILB | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Aug 8 | 19:52 | Chris Sale to Make his First Rehab Start on Tuesday |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) will make his first minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sale came out of his 30-pitch simulated game on Thursday feeling good and has been cleared to take the next step in his rehab from a rib injury that has sidelined him since the middle of June. The 36-year-old former Cy Young winner is expected to require two rehab starts, but after that, Sale should rejoin the Braves' starting rotation for the stretch run. Even though the Braves are in the midst of a lost season, Sale is as competitive as they come and could make a difference for fantasy managers over his last handful of starts. In six starts before landing on the injured list, Sale was especially stingy with a 0.86 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 41 2/3 innings. |
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Gabe Burns | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Aug 8 | 14:05 | Chris Sale Could Make Two Rehab Starts Before Returning |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) are expected to send Sale on a minor-league rehab assignment next week as long as he feels good on Friday after his side session on Thursday, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. Sale could need as few as two rehab starts before he's activated from the 60-day injured list for the final five to six weeks of the season. The 36-year-old veteran southpaw resumed throwing in mid-July, four weeks after he fractured two ribs while trying to make a defensive play on June 18. The Braves are in the midst of a disappointing lost season, so Atlanta isn't rushing Sale back, but he should be able to provide fantasy managers with a handful of starts to close out the season. The 2024 National League Cy Young winner should remain rostered in all fantasy formats with his return getting closer. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Aug 7 | 17:09 | Chris Sale Throws Successful Sim Game, Rehab Assignment Could Be Close |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) threw a successful 30-pitch simulated game on Thursday and didn't have any issues, and if he feels good on Friday, the next step will be a minor-league rehab assignment, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Barring a setback once Sale begins throwing in minor-league games, the 36-year-old veteran southpaw should be ready to return from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 19. He is recovering from a fractured left rib cage that has kept him sidelined since the middle of June. Fantasy managers should be stashing Sale in an IL spot in all leagues in the meantime. Before getting hurt, the former first-rounder had gone 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 114 strikeouts and 26 walks in 89 1/3 innings over his 15 starts in his 15th big-league season. Injuries continue to be an issue, but Sale has been strong when he's been available. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Aug 6 | 18:32 | Chris Sale Throwing on Thursday |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) is set to throw a live batting practice session on Thursday. Sale continues to progress from a fractured left ribcage he suffered in mid-June. The expectation is that Sale will likely go on a minor league rehab assignment after Thursday's session. It's unclear how many starts he'll need before rejoining the Braves rotation. Sale is eligible to be activated from the injured list on August 19. The assumption is that he'll rejoin the Braves rotation around then. There should be more information on his status following his batting practice session. |
Source: David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Aug 4 | 18:52 | Chris Sale Progressing Towards Return This Year |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) has been making progress towards a return to the mound, according to David O'Brien. He recently threw a bullpen session and is expected to face live hitters soon. After that, Sale could go on a minor league rehab assignment for a few starts. Sale is still two weeks away from being eligible to return from the 60-day injured list. The southpaw has been sidelined since mid-June due to a fractured left ribcage. It's unlikely that Sale will be able to return when first eligible because he'll need a rehab assignment. The hope is that Sale is able to return at some point in September, but fantasy managers probably won't get much out of him. |
Source: David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jul 16 | 14:48 | Chris Sale Plays Catch |
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) played catch on Tuesday. Sale isn't eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until after Aug. 19, but he's at least making progress toward an eventual return to the team's starting rotation later this season. Tuesday was the first time that last year's National League Cy Young winner has thrown a baseball since he was diagnosed with a fractured left rib cage almost a month ago. The 36-year-old veteran southpaw should pitch for the Braves again this year, but by the time he returns, there won't be much time left for him to make an impact for his fantasy managers. Still, he's worth stashing in all formats for his high-end upside when healthy. In 15 starts before his injury, Sale had gone 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 114 strikeouts and 26 walks in 89 1/3 innings pitched. |
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Jul 10 | 17:32 | Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale |
The Atlanta Braves have not discussed left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) in trade talks and will not consider moving him or any other player under control beyond the 2025 season at this year's trade deadline, major-league-sources told FanSided's Robert Murray. Although Sale is currently on the 60-day injured list with a rib-cage fracture, he's been excellent for the Braves when he's been healthy since they acquired the veteran southpaw from the Boston Red Sox. The 36-year-old lefty had a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 2024 to win the National League Cy Young award. This year, he's been nearly as good, posting a 2.52 ERA with 114 punchouts in his 15 starts. The Braves expect Sale to return later this year, but since he's now on the 60-day IL, he cannot return until at least Aug. 20. Fantasy managers must remain patient and keep him stashed until then. |
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Jul 1 | 18:27 | Chris Sale Transferred to 60-Day Injured List |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) has been transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. This is a procedural move in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Hunter Stratton. Sale was placed on the injured list in late June due to a ribcage fracture. The organization is hopeful Sale is able to pitch again this season, but this move holds Sale out until August 20. For now, Didier Fuentes will stick in the rotation, but that could change. The hope is that fantasy managers will still be able to get something out of Sale before the season is over. |
Source: Atlanta Braves | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Jun 23 | 18:42 | Chris Sale Has No Timetable to Return |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) is expected to pitch again this season, according to manager Brian Snitker. Sale was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday after suffering a ribcage fracture on Wednesday. There is no timetable for Sale's return as the team wants to wait and see how the injury heals. This is a tough spot for fantasy managers given the uncertainty of his return. Sale figures to miss more than the 15-day minimum. Fantasy managers should go ahead and hold Sale on their IL until the team offers more information. |
Source: David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Jun 21 | 14:02 | Chris Sale Placed on 15-Day Injured List |
The Atlanta Braves have placed ace Chris Sale (rib cage) on the 15-day injured list with a fractured left rib cage, retroactive to June 19, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game reports. Atlanta recalled left-hander Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Sale's roster spot. Sale suffered the injury in the ninth inning on a diving play against the New York Mets on Wednesday. The reigning National League Cy Young was dominant over 8 2/3 scoreless innings that night. It was the latest excellent outing in a season full of them for Sale, who has once again been among the premier starters in the sport. Across 89 1/3 innings, the 36-year-old lefty has pitched to a 2.52 ERA with 114 strikeouts against 26 walks. There's no replacing that type of production. Sale will now miss at least two weeks, which is a major blow for both the Braves and fantasy managers. |
Source: Grant McAuley | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jun 18 | 23:06 | Chris Sale Mows Down Mets in Victory |
Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale (5-4) delivered a spectacular performance against the New York Mets on Wednesday to rack up his fifth win of the season. The reigning National League Cy Young winner fell just one out short of a complete-game shutout, firing 8 2/3 scoreless, five-hit innings with seven strikeouts and one walk. The 36-year-old lefty exited a 116-pitch outing after allowing an infield single to Brandon Nimmo. Sale has now tallied six straight quality starts, and he hasn't given up more than two earned runs in a game since April 13. Overall, Sale has pitched to a stellar 2.52 ERA with 114 strikeouts and 26 walks in 89 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to get the ball Monday in a rematch against the Mets. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Jun 16 | 13:04 | Chris Sale to Start on Wednesday |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale will make his next start this Wednesday in New York against the division-rival New York Mets, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. It opens up Sale to be able to start again against the Mets next week. Sale was originally scheduled to make his second start of last week in Sunday's series finale in an excellent matchup against the Colorado Rockies, but instead he's been pushed to Wednesday. The 36-year-old reigning National League Cy Young will get a much tougher matchup against the Mets in his next two starts, but Sale remains a must-start in fantasy leagues after racking up a season-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings last Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Sale hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in an outing since April 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays and now holds a 2.79 ERA with 107 K's and 25 walks in 80 2/3 innings in 2025. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Jun 14 | 21:14 | Chris Sale Won't Pitch on Sunday |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale won't make his scheduled start against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Instead, Sale is expected to start in one of the games during the upcoming series against the New York Mets. It doesn't sound like Sale is dealing with an injury. This looks like the Braves saving Sale for a tougher divisional matchup and letting someone else pitch against the worst team in baseball. The Braves will go with right-hander Grant Holmes for Sunday's contest with the Rockies. Fantasy managers who have these pitchers rostered should adjust their lineups accordingly. |
Source: David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Jun 10 | 00:08 | Chris Sale Fans Season-High 11 In Monday's Win |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was dialed in for Monday's 7-1 win over the Brewers. Sale pitched seven innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with a season-high 11 strikeouts. The 36-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down after earning the National League Cy Young Award last season. He has been excellent in his first two seasons with the Braves after an up-and-down tenure with the Red Sox. Sale is now 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and an 11.94 K/9 rate in 14 starts and 80 2/3 IP. His next start will be an excellent matchup against the Rockies at home. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jun 4 | 23:31 | Chris Sale Fans 10 in Loss to Diamondbacks |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (3-4) took his fourth loss of the season in a 2-1 defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Sale was outstanding despite a lack of run support, tossing six innings of three-hit, one-run ball with 10 strikeouts and four walks. The reigning National League Cy Young winner owned a 6.00-plus ERA for a large chunk of April, but that number has shrunk below 3.00 with a run of dominance over the past month-plus. Sale has now racked up four straight quality starts. Over that span, Sale has combined for 26 innings, allowed three runs on 14 hits, and amassed 32 strikeouts against 10 walks. His season ERA sits at 2.93 with 96 punchouts and 23 walks through 73 2/3 frames. The 36-year-old ace will go on the road to challenge the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Thu May 29 | 21:55 | Chris Sale Tosses Six Shutout Innings |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was excellent in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a 9-3 win over the Phillies. He allowed two hits and three walks. After a bit of a rocky start to the season, the veteran hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start since April 13, which is a span of eight straight outings. He hasn't lost a step since winning the National League Cy Young Award last season, posting a 3.06 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 67 innings in 2025. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to be against the Diamondbacks. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Mon May 26 | 23:29 | Chris Sale Turning Things Around |
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale had an 0-2 record with a 6.17 ERA, 36 hits allowed (four homers) and nine walks in 28 1/3 innings in his first six starts. But since then, the 36-year-old veteran southpaw has turned things around, posting a 1.64 ERA with 46 strikeouts, nine walks and 32 hits allowed (three homers) in 38 1/3 innings over six starts. He's worked at least 6 2/3 innings in four of his last five starts, including seven innings in each of his last two times out. Sale said he was watching plenty of video and pitching-motion skeletal biomechanics during his rough patch early on to try and figure out what he needed to tweak. He mentioned that his arm angle had dropped a little bit lower than usual, changing the spin on some of his pitches. Sale's next start will come this week on the road against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, but he'll be a must-start in the tough matchup. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Fri May 16 | 23:08 | Chris Sale Throws Seven Dominant Innings in Friday's Win |
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (2-3) allowed one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings in Friday's 4-2 win against the Boston Red Sox. He struck out eight to earn his second win of the season. Sale outlasted fellow left-handed ace Garrett Crochet in a classic pitcher's duel. The 36-year-old generated 15 swings-and-misses in this one as he is putting together a strong month of May after a rocky start to the season. After posting a 4.84 ERA in March and April, Sale looks to return to his usual self with a 1.40 ERA and 26:6 K:BB in May. Sale will look to keep it rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |