The Atlanta Braves were already teetering on the edge. Now, with Chris Sale landing on the injured list, they may be ready to quit in 2025 entirely.
Sale, who had been their best pitcher and arguably the team’s most valuable trade chip, suffered a fractured rib cage during his June 19 start against the Mets. The Braves placed the 36-year-old on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to the day after his outing. And just like that, the most compelling reason for Atlanta to remain aggressive at the trade deadline may have evaporated.
Sale Was Atlanta’s Lifeline — And Best Asset
Before the injury, Sale was looking like the version of himself that won a Cy Young in 2024. He had a 2.52 ERA and 2.65 FIP through 15 starts, striking out more than 30% of opposing hitters. On a team that’s seen its rotation decimated by injuries, Sale was the lone stabilizing force.
MLB insider Matt Snyder even named him one of the top potential trade deadline chips—especially if the Braves continued to slide out of the playoff picture. Sale, on an expiring deal with a team option for 2026, made sense as a veteran rental for contenders. Atlanta, facing a thin farm system and a mountain of rotation injuries, could have sold high.
The Rotation Is in Shambles
Chris Sale is just the latest domino in a rotation collapse that’s quickly defining the Braves’ season.
Meanwhile, AJ Smith-Shawver is done for the year with Tommy John surgery and Reynaldo López is still out following shoulder issues. Spencer Strider, their co-ace on paper, hasn’t looked right all season after undergoing internal brace surgery, and even missed additional time with a hamstring strain.
In place of all those arms? A mix of unproven prospects and fringe options like Austin Cox, who was recalled when Sale hit the IL.
Ultimately, it’s hard to believe a team with this much pitching chaos can realistically chase down a playoff berth. The concern deepens, especially when you consider their place in the standings.
The Standings Tell a Grim Story
Atlanta entered the weekend with a 34-40 record. They’re 10 games behind the Phillies in the NL East and six games back of the final NL wild-card spot. Worse yet, there are four teams between them and that third wild card.
This isn’t a team that’s just one piece away. This is a team whose entire identity—elite pitching, consistent production, big-game experience—has eroded.
Without Sale, there’s little incentive to buy at the deadline. And given the lack of top-end prospects and sellable veterans, there may not be much left to sell, either.
What Now?
That’s the problem. The Braves’ farm system ranks near the bottom of MLB. Their core is aging and banged up. They lost their best hope for a quick reload—trading Chris Sale for a decent prospect haul.
There’s no easy path forward.
Atlanta could hang on and hope for a miracle. Or they could begin an uncomfortable reset, selling off whatever pieces they can and admitting that 2025 wasn’t their year.
The injury to Chris Sale didn’t just break a rib. It might’ve broken the Braves’ season.
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