One of the biggest highlights of the Atlanta Braves' sweep of the New York Mets centered around star pitcher Chris Sale.
The veteran went into the ninth inning looking to finish out a complete game shutout. One that would fall one out short with the lefty still having a memorable play in the inning. Juan Soto tapped a ball towards first out of reach of the infielders. Sale laid out to get the ball and threw a perfect strike to Matt Olson to retire Soto. It was an incredible highlight that perfectly captured Sale's mentality and the energy of an incredible series.
This has quickly soured with the loss to the Miami Marlins in game one of the series and the news that Sale suffered an injury on the play. Sale suffered a fractured rib when laying out to make the play. It comes as a surprise with no hint of an injury after the game. However, looking at the ferocity of the play, it makes sense that the older pitcher wouldn't walk away unscathed.
This has opened up a debate among Braves fans as to whether or not Sale should have been left on the mound in the first place.
Braves Ace Chris Sale Set to Miss Substantial Time
The #Braves today recalled LHP Austin Cox to Atlanta and placed LHP Chris Sale on the 15-day injured list, backdated to June 19, with a fractured left ribcage.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 21, 2025
While Brian Snitker can be blamed for many things this season, this isn't one of them. Sale's injury is a result of the veteran's greatness and willingness to do whatever it takes to win. The play could've happened in any inning, and Sale's approach would have been the same. With this in mind, it is simply an unfortunate development forcing the team to pivot in another direction.
It isn't the first serious injury in Atlanta's rotation, with AJ Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo Lopez both being lost. This is a season when the team was already attempting to replace Charlie Morton and Max Fried. Add in a bullpen that has been completely unreliable, and there simply isn't a positive spin to this loss.
Chris Sale should be on the shelf for weeks, just when it seemed the Braves were turning things around. It is yet another example of a front office that failed to add needed depth, and it will continue to cost a roster that simply can't catch a break.