Chris Sale takes massive step in return to Braves

A Braves win was accompanied by another positive development last night, as Chris Sale took a massive step toward returning to the major league club.

The reigning Cy Young Award winner went on the 60-day injured list on June 21 after fracturing his rib while diving for a ball during an outing against the Mets. He threw 30 pitches across two simulated innings, checking an important box, before the team’s win over the Marlins.

After the live bullpen session, Brian Snitker said Sale will come to the ballpark on Friday as the team determines the next step, with another live BP session or a minor league rehab start awaiting him. Much of the conversation surrounding Chris Sale’s injury is whether or not he should even be brought back in a lost season.

On the one hand, Sale is getting up there in age, and it’s reasonable to be cautious with your ace in a lost season. Sale’s been injured in the two seasons he’s been with the Braves, even if one was a freak rib injury, and his injury history extends well beyond that. He will be 37 years old by the start of next season, and it’s fair to wonder just how much tread is left on his tires. It makes some sense to put him on the shelf until 2206.

Now, on the other hand, this is a grizzled veteran, a reigning Cy Young Award winner, and one of the most competitive human beings on the planet. If he’s healthy, Sale is going to pitch. While the Braves might not know how many more innings are on that shoulder, it gives them even more reason to trot him out there. Who knows how many more chances he’ll get to toe the rubber of a major league mound? Wasting healthy games seems like a disservice to one of the game’s best talents.

The Braves don’t have much to play for in 2025, which means their fans don’t have many reasons to watch, but Chris Sale is certainly one of the biggest draws in the entire league, let alone on the team.