Chris Sale’s remarkable defensive play on a ground ball hit by Juan Soto in the ninth inning sealed his start against the New York Mets on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, his all-out effort led to an injury that forced him to the injured list. The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday that Sale has been placed on the 15-day IL due to a fractured ribcage sustained during this standout performance. Despite pitching 8 2/3 scoreless innings with only five hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts, Sale’s diving stop ultimately led to his injury. He continued pitching after the play, striking out Pete Alonso before exiting the game following a bloop single by Brandon Nimmo. Sale threw a total of 116 pitches, with 85 of them being strikes. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has a 2.52 ERA and a 5-4 record in 15 starts this season, racking up 114 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings. With the Braves’ 5-0 victory on Wednesday, they secured their sixth win in eight games, contributing to a successful stretch with seven wins in their last ten games. On the other hand, the Mets suffered their fifth consecutive loss, resulting in a seven-game losing streak that dropped them out of first place in the NL East. Sale’s IL stint is retroactive to Thursday, making him eligible to return on July 3. However, the severity of his rib injury may prolong his absence. The Braves have a solid top three in their starting rotation with Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Spencer Strider. Following Sale’s injury, the Braves have recalled reliever Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill his spot on the active roster. Cox previously had a 4.85 ERA in 11 appearances for the Stripers after being signed by the Braves post his release from the Kansas City Royals earlier in the season. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos firmly stated that Sale will not be traded, emphasizing the club’s $18 million club option for him in 2026 as a deterrent to any trade discussions.
