One of the few pitching bright spots was Atlanta Braves veteran starter Chris Sale. Even the starter's injury was suffered in impressive fashion, making a diving play in the game's final inning and getting the out despite the injury. Sale has been exactly what the rotation was missing and given Braves fans hope that next season, fortunes could still turn. With this in mind, the recent news of Sale's return to throwing is a clear mistake.
The 2025 season has long circled the drain and left nothing to play for but pride and next year. Atlanta has every reason to protect every star and leave no room for further injuries. Spencer Schwellenbach, Ronald Acuña, Austin Riley, Reynaldo Lopez, A.J. Smith-Shawver, Grant Holmes, and Joe Jiménez are all currently sitting on the injured list along with Sale.
What reason do the Braves have to return any of these pieces? While Smith-Shawver and Holmes are out for the season, the remaining pieces should be held out as well. In an injury-plagued season that is lost, there is zero reason to push for returns that risk the following year. Atlanta is in a position to add pieces without losing any more key players.
The Braves Should Shut Down Chris Sale for the Remainder of the 2025 Season
Part of what makes Sale so easy to root for is the fact that the pitcher is such a gamer. There isn't even a slight chance the veteran doesn't want to return and help his team, no matter the standings. Atlanta's record doesn't matter for a player wired this way. If the lefty can return to the mound, it will take a strong statement from the Braves front office and coaching staff to prevent it.
This is exactly the stance that must be taken for a player who is vital to the 2026 season. With Spencer Strider continuing to struggle, there isn't a debate that Sale is Atlanta's most reliable pitcher of the last two seasons. It is hardly a hot take to point this out with Strider failing to live up to expectations and Sale enjoying two incredible years in Atlanta.
All of this adds up to a sense of urgency to protect the veteran from himself and possible injuries that risk next year. There simply isn't a reasonable justification for putting him in harm's way down the stretch. Something the team must weigh as the veteran nears a return.