Chris Sale (Image Credits: Imagn)

'I’m Greedy, And I Know That' – Chris Sale Rejects MLB’s New ABS Challenge System

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 8:39 AM ET

Chris Sale undoubtedly ranks among the finest starting pitchers of his generation and one of the best strikeout artists of the contemporary era. The veteran left-hander is getting ready for the 2026 campaign after two dominant seasons for the Atlanta Braves. However, like everyone else, Sale is preparing for the MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system this year.

Speaking to reporters at the Atlanta Braves spring training facility in North Port, Florida, Chris Sale declared that he will never make use of the ABS challenge. The Atlanta Braves ace flatly stated he cannot trust his own judgment on pitches since he was never an umpire. Sale is used to having wrong calls, so he will let the catcher have full discretion on challenging a call.

“I’ll never do it. I’m not an umpire. That’s their job. I’m a starting pitcher. I’ve never judged balls and strikes in my life. Plus, I’m greedy and I know that. I’ll think they’re all strikes,” Chris Sale said. “I like pitches that are around the corner that might be a little off.

“I will never challenge a pitch. I’m not an umpire. That’s their job.”

Chris Sale says he will never use MLB’s new automated ball strike challenge system pic.twitter.com/wSTrcs4u6g
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 13, 2026

“I don’t want to take away any one of those challenges that might be needed later in the game,” he added. “My entire career there’s been balls called strikes and strikes called balls. You just kind of deal with it. If my catcher has something to say about it, I’ll leave that to him.”

Despite spending a long stint on the IL with a fractured rib cage, Chris Sale posted another excellent campaign for the Braves last year. He posted 4.0 bWAR over 21 appearances with a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts over 125.2 innings.

Chris Sale Blames Catchers For Making Umpires’ Jobs Harder

Chris Sale (Image Credits: Getty Images)

During his interview, Chris Sale offered sympathy for the umpires for messing up calls for balls and strikes behind home plate. The nine-time All-Star believes the current-day catchers make their job even more difficult by taking the pitches as early as they can.

Former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and former Cy Young winner Chris Sale are projected to lead the @Braves #OpeningDay lineup and rotation! pic.twitter.com/QLCQYNaRtQ
— MLB (@MLB) February 14, 2026

“The catchers nowadays, the way they catch the ball, the way they receive it, makes it look more like strikes,” Sale said. “They catch it the right way—they make a lot of balls look like strikes.”

Chris Sale resurrected his injury-ravaged career following a trade deal from the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2024 season. He soon signed a two-year, $38 million extension with Atlanta before going to clinch a Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award. The Braves picked up his $18 million option for the 2026 season.

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

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