Chris Sale Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Chris Sale (elbow) will throw another two-inning simulated game at the team's spring training complex on Saturday and he is likely to be sent on a minor league rehab assignment next week, according to manager Alex Cora. Sale hasn't pitched in game action since August of 2019, when he struck out 12 hitters in 6 2/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in March of last year. It's unknown how many rehab outings Sale will need, but the Red Sox want to build him up to five or six innings before they activate him. While fantasy managers shouldn't expect Cy Young results immediately upon his return to the Red Sox rotation, Sale should be owned in all formats for a possible return at some point in August.
Source: Mass Live - Chris Cotillo
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Source: Mass Live - Chris Cotillo
Chris Sale Fans 10 In Tough No-Decision Tuesday
Chris Sale strung together his third consecutive solid start in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Reds. Sale pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Braves weren't able to get on the board until the ninth inning, sticking him with a no-decision. The 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner had a slow start to the season but has picked things up lately, including back-to-back 10-strikeout performances. He is now 1-3 with a 4.07 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, and a 12.00 K/9 rate in eight starts and 42 IP. He should have a good chance to keep things rolling in his next start, which will be a great matchup at the Pirates.
Source: MLB.com
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
Chris Sale Strikes Out 10
Chris Sale was stuck with a tough-luck loss on Wednesday in a 2-1 loss to the Rockies. He allowed two runs on five hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts over seven innings. This was the reigning Cy Young champ's best start of the season, as it was his first double-digit strikeout performance and his first outing of more than five innings. He had a rough April overall with his ERA currently sitting at 4.84, but he still has maintained an elite 29% strikeout rate and remains an ace both in real life and in fantasy.
Source: MLB.com
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
Chris Sale Frustrated With Poor Start
Chris Sale has lasted five or fewer innings and allowed three or more earned runs in each of his four starts this year, including 4 2/3 and 4 1/3 innings in his past two. Last year, he had only two starts of less than five innings. Sale has surrendered 15 hits and nine runs (eight earned) in nine innings in his last two starts. "I just hate sucking, and I'm just bad. Simple," Sale said. His average fastball velocity was 96.2 mph in his start on Sunday against the Rays -- up 3 mph from his previous season average. The reigning National League Cy Young has allowed at least three runs in each of his four starts in 2025 after giving up more than two earned runs in only three of 29 starts a year ago. The fact that Sale is healthy has made the poor start more frustrating, but it should also ease the minds of fantasy managers that he'll turn it around sooner than later.
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien
Atlanta Braves left-hander Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien
Chris Sale Gets Opening Day Start For The Atlanta Braves
Chris Sale has been assigned the Opening Day start for the Braves to kick off the 2025 season. Sale, the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner, looks to continue his dominance in 2025 for the Braves and will start the season on the road versus the San Diego Padres on Thursday, March 27. The Padres have a solid lineup, including superstars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. Regardless, Sale is one of the most dominant starters in the game, and fantasy managers should start him confidently next Thursday. During the 2024 season, Sale went 18-3 with an 11.4 K/9, 2.38 ERA, a 6.4 WAR, and a 2.09 FIP. Look for him to continue to rack up the wins and strikeouts behind one of the most potent lineups in baseball.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves left-hander Source: Atlanta Braves
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