Braves' Chris Sale Shares Retirement Plan at Spring Training

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 5:44 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves rotation has already been hit with injuries early in spring training, as right‑hander Spencer Schwellenbach and top prospect Hurston Waldrep are both dealing with arm issues.

As a result, the front office is exploring options to add another arm to the back end of the rotation. Fortunately for Atlanta, the team still has high‑end talent at the top of the staff, and no one is more impactful than veteran left‑hander Chris Sale.

Sale has built an impressive legacy across 15 MLB seasons. The 36‑year‑old has collected a pitching Triple Crown, one Cy Young Award, a World Series title during his time with the Boston Red Sox, a Gold Glove Award and nine All‑Star selections.

Although injuries have followed him throughout his career, his dominance and strikeout ability when healthy have never been in question.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51)© Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Sale is preparing for his third year with the Braves, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the regular season, questions have naturally surfaced about his long‑term future.

He has already pitched for three organizations, the Chicago White Sox, the Boston Red Sox and now Atlanta, and he has logged more than 2,000 career innings.

With that workload, it is fair to wonder how much longer he plans to pitch and whether he hopes to finish his career in Atlanta.

At spring training, Sale spoke with reporters and offered clarity on his plan regarding retirement. “I would like to. I really like being here. These guys obviously gave me a shot and kind of picked me up off the ground,” Sale said when asked if he hoped to retire with the Braves, according to Luke Hetrick of WSB TV.

Chris Sale on if he'd like to retire with the @braves

"I would like to. I really like being here. These guys obviously gave me a shot and kind of picked me up off the ground."

Sale is in the final year of his contract. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/lgmRBfSwU5
— Luke Hetrick (@LHSportsTV) February 13, 2026

While Sale continues to think about the future, one thing is certain: he will pitch in 2026, and the Braves will once again rely on him to anchor the rotation.

Sale missed two months last season with a fractured left rib cage, yet when he was on the mound, he consistently kept a disappointing Braves team in games. Across 21 appearances, he posted a 7‑5 record, a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 125.2 innings.

If Sale stays healthy, he remains Atlanta’s best chance to stabilize the rotation and keep the club firmly in the championship conversation.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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