The Atlanta Braves limped into October with a hobbled rotation once again. It wasn't the main reason for their early exit, but the starting pitchers surely didn't help Atlanta's efforts in the two-game sweep via San Diego.
This year the big missing piece was presumed NL Cy Young winner, Chris Sale. The 35 year-old lefty put together his healthiest (and most productive) season since 2017. Sadly, the injury bug bit Sale at the worst time as back spasms kept him from pitching the last two weeks of the regular season and in the NL Wild Card round.
Yesterday afternoon we learned some encouraging news on the Braves star lefty. However, the news will simultaneously crush Braves fans as well.
Chris Sale would have been healthy enough for NLDS
According to Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, Sale threw a side session yesterday and came back feeling great. Anthopoulos then told reporters that Sale would have been on the NLDS roster had the Braves advanced.
Sale threw a side session today and felt great. Alex told him earlier this week he would have been on the NLDS roster.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 4, 2024
Obviously, that hurts to hear the Braves were two wins away from giving Chris Sale a chance to pitch in playoff baseball. At the same time it's encouraging to hear that Sale avoided any serious injury that could hamper his offseason.
Sale often credited his hot start to having a normal offseason for the first time in awhile. He then continued that hot start all the way through September, winning the first NL Triple Crown since Clayton Kershaw did in 2011.
It's nice to know Sale won't have to navigate an offseason battling an injury, and can put in the same winter work that made him one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2024. Hopefully next season the Braves can finally head into October with a healthy rotation that can help make a deep playoff run like fans enjoyed in 2021.