FInally, the Atlanta Braves got some GOOD injury news regarding their starting rotation. The team expectedly announced this morning that the reigning NL Cy Young award winner, Chris Sale was being reinstated from the injured list. Nathan Wiles was the corresponding move as the RHP was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett. This comes as a bit of a surprise as many fans thought Cal Quantrill would get a quick DFA, given his terrible outing against Philly, once Sale returned.
The #Braves today returned LHP Chris Sale from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, after optioning RHP Nathan Wiles to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 30, 2025
Braves return Chris Sale from IL, keep Cal Quantrill on the roster for now
It seems the Braves have kept Quantrill around to work mop-up duty out of the bullpen over the next few days. The logic is fine as Sale will obviously be on a pitch count early on, and the bullpen has been taxed over the past few days. Regardless, it's great to have Chris Sale back; who will be making his first start since his dominant outing against the Mets on June 18th.
After a slow start to the season (mostly just bad BABIP luck), Chris Sale turned back into the frontline pitcher we know him to be in May. Before the rib injury, Sale was well on his way to competing for another Cy Young award. Sale's 2.52 ERA, 2.70 FIP, and 114 Ks in just over 89 innings of work was all the evidence fans needed to know he's still very, very good.
Despite the Braves being out of postseason contention in 2025, Sale returning is an excellent development for where the 36 year-old lefty is health wise. Sale getting four or five starts under his belt, and the chance to enter the offseason on a normal healthy winter program is exactly what the front office and fans were hoping for.
The Braves' 2026 rotation figures to be anchored by Sale once again, so seeing him pitch well in September would go a long way for fans mental. He'll face an immediate tough test as the Braves continue their series with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night.