ATLANTA -- The Braves confirmed Chris Sale will remain sidelined until the second half of August when they transferred him to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday.
When Sale fractured a left rib during the ninth inning of a win over the Mets on June 18, the immediate assumption was he would miss six-to-eight weeks. This transaction will prevent the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner from being activated before Aug. 19.
Sale becomes the third different Atlanta starter who will end up missing at least two months this year. Reynaldo López made one start before undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in April. If López pitches again this year, he might be limited to a relief role. As for AJ Smith-Shawver, he will likely miss most or all of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Sale suffered the injury while making a diving stop of a Juan Soto chopper to record the first out of the ninth inning. He struck out Pete Alonso before his 116-pitch effort ended one out shy of a shutout.
Sale was making a bid for a second straight Cy Young Award. He has posted a 1.23 ERA over his past 10 starts.
The loss of three starters has left the Braves struggling to fill their rotation with Major League-ready arms. Didier Fuentes is a 20-year-old hurler who had made just six starts above the High-A level before making his unexpected MLB debut on June 19. He has allowed 10 runs over 8 1/3 innings in two starts. But the Braves still plan to send him to the mound for Wednesday’s game against the Angels.
Sale was moved to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton, who was acquired from the Pirates in exchange for Minor League outfielder Titus Dumitru and cash considerations on Tuesday.
Stratton allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs over 2 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh this year, but he had a 3.58 ERA over 37 2/3 innings for the Pirates last season. Dumitru is a 22-year-old outfielder who had a .628 OPS at High-A Rome before this trade.