Chris Sale Fantasy Stats

The Atlanta Braves are picking up future Hall of Fame left-hander Chris Sale's $18 million option for the 2026 season on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Even though Sale missed extended time once again in 2025 due to injury (a left rib-cage fracture), there was never any doubt that the Braves would bring him back for his 16th MLB season. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner looked good again when he was healthy, going 7-5 for Atlanta with a 2.58 ERA (2.67 FIP) and 1.07 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 32 walks in 125 2/3 innings over 21 outings (20 starts). Sale won the National League Cy Young in 2024 in his first year with the Braves, when he led the league with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 punchouts. Injuries are an issue, but Sale's high-end strikeout upside makes him worth the risk in fantasy.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton will now make the start in the regular-season finale on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with left-hander Chris Sale following in relief, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It will be the final start of his career for Morton, who has announced that he will retire following the season. The 41-year-old veteran was drafted by the Braves in the third round back in 2002, and he's spent five of his 18 MLB seasons in Atlanta. Morton spent the most years (seven) of his career with Pittsburgh, so it will be a fitting end for him this weekend. The two-time All-Star began the year with the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Detroit Tigers. Morton has struggled in his final professional season, going 9-11 with a 5.89 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 148:71 K:BB in 140 2/3 innings. In his prime, Morton was a back-to-back All-Star in 2018 and 2019 with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, and he's won two World Series titles.

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale didn't miss a beat in his first start in over two months on Saturday. Although the Braves lost 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies, Sale didn't factor into the decision in his return from a fractured rib cage. The 36-year-old southpaw limited the Phillies to one run on three hits while tallying nine strikeouts against one walk in six innings. Sale threw 78 pitches (51 strikes) and recorded his seventh straight quality start in his first outing since June 18. Last year's National League Cy Young winner now owns a 2.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 123:27 K:BB in 95 1/3 innings this season. He's scheduled to make his next start on Sept. 6 against the Seattle Mariners.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) has officially been activated from the 60-day injured list and is expected to start against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The team optioned right-hander Nathan Wiles to Triple-A Gwinnett in the corresponding move. Sale has been out since mid-June with a fractured rib cage. Before getting injured, Sale was 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings (15 starts). The Braves are out of contention, so it remains to be seen how hard they will push the veteran left-hander down the stretch. Still, when Sale is on the mound, he's a fantasy ace who could swing leagues in the final month of the season.

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale (ribs) is in line to come off the 60-day injured list on Saturday to start against the Philadelphia Phillies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Sale hasn't pitched since he suffered a fractured left rib cage on June 18, interrupting another brilliant season for the 36-year-old southpaw. Before going on the IL, the reigning National League Cy Young winner recorded a 2.52 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 114:26 K:BB over 15 starts and 89 1/3 innings. While Sale won't come back to help the out-of-contention Braves push for a championship, he could still be a major asset for fantasy managers down the stretch.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) appears to be on the verge of returning to the big-league mound. Sale tossed 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out five strikeouts in his latest rehab start on Saturday. For now, the plan is for Sale to start for the Braves next weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sale has been out since the middle of June due to a fractured left ribcage. The veteran southpaw needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats with his return on the horizon.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Double-A Columbus on Saturday. Sale threw four innings during his most recent rehab outing on Sunday. If everything goes well, Sale should be cleared to rejoin the Braves rotation after his start on Saturday. The southpaw has been sidelined since late June due to a fractured left rib cage. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Sale on their IR with his return looming. There should be another update on his status following his rehab start this weekend.

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale (ribs) could come off the 60-day injured list and return to the majors next week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Sale is scheduled to make his second Triple-A rehab start on Sunday, and unless he and the Braves decide he'll need a third tune-up in the minors, he'll rejoin the Braves' rotation. The reigning NL Cy Young winner suffered a fractured rib cage in a start against the New York Mets on June 18 and has missed about three months as a result. Sale was brilliant in that game, a 5-0 victory, as he fired 8 2/3 scoreless innings of five-hit ball with seven strikeouts against one walk. That was just one of several tremendous starts Sale turned in before going on the IL. The 36-year-old owns a 2.52 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 114:26 K:BB across 89 1/3 innings this season. While the Braves are out of contention, Sale's return could be huge for fantasy managers.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) pitched two innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. He gave up three hits, one run, with a pair of strikeouts, getting up to 40 pitches. Sale averaged 93.9 mph with his fastball, which was down from his 95 mph season average. The southpaw is likely to make two more rehab starts before joining Atlanta's rotation. Sale was following up his monster 2025 season this year until he went down with a fractured left rib in June. He was (5-4) with a K/9 of 11.49, which was his highest since 2019. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Sale as he's expected to be reinstated from the IL soon.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) will make his first minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sale came out of his 30-pitch simulated game on Thursday feeling good and has been cleared to take the next step in his rehab from a rib injury that has sidelined him since the middle of June. The 36-year-old former Cy Young winner is expected to require two rehab starts, but after that, Sale should rejoin the Braves' starting rotation for the stretch run. Even though the Braves are in the midst of a lost season, Sale is as competitive as they come and could make a difference for fantasy managers over his last handful of starts. In six starts before landing on the injured list, Sale was especially stingy with a 0.86 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 41 2/3 innings.