Braves' Chris Sale Sends Message as Calls Mount for Season-Ending Injury Decision

Braves' Chris Sale Sends Message as Calls Mount for Season-Ending Injury Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Atlanta Braves are sliding even further down the standings as they’re currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak, which has dropped them to 47–66 on the season.

Along with underperformance, the Braves have experienced injury setbacks to multiple starting pitchers, most notably veteran southpaw Chris Sale.

The 35-year-old arrived in Atlanta last year and returned to peak form, posting an MLB-leading 2.38 ERA and capturing the first Cy Young Award of his 15-year career.

Sale got off to another excellent start in 2025, earning his second consecutive All-Star appearance with the Braves. He posted a 2.52 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings before suffering a fractured left rib cage on June 18 while making a diving play to field a ground ball in the ninth inning against the New York Mets.

Braves Fans Call for Chris Sale to Be Shut Down for the Season

With Atlanta on track to miss the postseason for the first time since 2017, Braves fans have been calling for Sale to rest and be shut down for the rest of the season.

"How about not returning? Get ready for 2026. Coming back this year means zilch," said a fan.

Another fan wrote, "Please put Sale in bubble wrap and shelf him for the rest of the season."

"I’m really struggling with the idea of Sale coming back this season… I get that he wants to pitch, but we need him healthy for next season," added one more.

Sale Explains Why He Still Plans to Return in 2025

Sale seemingly responded to the fans after completing a live batting practice session on Thursday, with a rehab assignment likely to follow if he responds well.

The left-hander emphasized the importance of his return this season for multiple reasons, including finishing a season upright and not on the injured list after so many injuries in the past, and to build more innings before trying to jump to 200 IP next season.

Chris Sale said it’e important to him to get back to pitch again this season for multiple reasons, including finishing a season upright and not on the IL after so many injuries in past, and to build more innings before trying to jump to 200 IP next season from where he is now.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 7, 2025

Sale Has Rebuilt His Reputation in Atlanta

Sale has battled injuries in the past, which led to the Boston Red Sox trading him to Atlanta prior to the 2024 season. He logged just 31 combined starts over his final three years in Boston. Despite the Braves’ struggles, Sale reached a major milestone earlier this season with his 2,500th career strikeout.

Although Sale most likely will not impact the Braves’ season in 2025, he has made it clear his return is necessary for a successful 2026.

With Sale’s $18 million club option likely to be picked up in the offseason, next season will be a crucial one as he enters unrestricted free agency once it concludes.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.