The Atlanta Braves' struggles this season have been tough to watch but one bright spot all year has been the starting rotation. Braves southpaw Chris Sale had started a bit slow but hit his groove in May. He had found his 2024 NL Cy Young form and things were looking up.
Unfortunately, after an impressive outing against the Mets at Truist Park last week, Sale landed on the IL unexpectedly with a fractured ribcage. This appeared to occur when he dove for a groundball in the ninth inning.
It was an incredible effort from Atlanta's ace but with how fragile his body has been at times during his career, it was a massive risk. You can't blame him for being a competitor and leaving it all out on the field.
Braves uncertainty around Chris Sale's return from injury shows why the trade was a huge risk
That choice came back to bite Sale and it reminded Braves fans what a massive risk it was for the team to take a chance on him in the first place. According to Braves insider David O'Brien, Sale is traveling with the team right now because they have a machine that assists with bone healing.
#Braves fully anticipate Chris Sale pitching again this season, though they won’t have a timeline until they see how soon his fractured rib cage (that’s what they termed it) heals. He’s with the team, Snitker said, because they travel w/ a machine that stimulates bone healing.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 23, 2025
They won't be able to provide a timeline, however, until they see how quickly the fracture heals. Former Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski stated on the Foul Territory podcast that he spoke with Sale and he told him he had "two small rib fractures" but was okay. That said, you would definitely like more certainty beyond "fully anticipate" he will pitch again in 2025.
From 2019-2023, Sale struggled to stay on the field with a slew of injuries. They ranged from shoulder issues, Tommy John surgery, and multiple fractures (pinkie, wrist, and rib). This is why the Red Sox were so willing to move such a high-caliber pitcher for next to nothing.
Luckily for Atlanta, Sale was able to make it through 2024, and as the best pitcher in the National League. Yes, he had a back issue at the end of the season that left him out of the playoffs, but he was a big reason Atlanta was able to get there in the first place.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal seems to think the Braves aren't a playoff team without Sale. He's right to point out that the offense has unperformed horribly but if they can keep the momentum they've found, and fix their inability to win on the road, it could still happen. But Sale would be much-needed should they reach the postseason.
This is a freak injury and not something anyone expected to happen. However, the Braves are going to have to persevere and hope their rotation can pick up Sale in his absence. Fans will get a chance to see what Didier Fuentes has to offer.