Braves’ Chris Sale Lands on 15-Day IL Due to Ribcage Fracture: What It Means for the Team

The Atlanta Braves have announced that star pitcher Chris Sale has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a fractured left ribcage. The injury occurred during a game when he made a diving play against Juan Soto.

This setback comes at a challenging time for the Braves, who recently swept the division-leading Mets and were gaining momentum in the playoff race. Despite winning seven of their last ten games, they now face the struggle of continuing without Sale. The 36-year-old lefty has been exceptional this season, boasting a 2.52 ERA and striking out 30.8% of batters faced.

Sale’s performance, however, has not been without its difficulties. His high .329 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) suggests he hasn’t gotten much luck on batted balls, ranking fourth highest among qualified starters. This year stands out, especially compared to his challenging seasons with the Red Sox from 2019 to 2023.

The injury raises concerns about his recovery timeline. Sale suffered a stress fracture in the same area in 2022, which kept him sidelined for several months. While it’s uncertain if this injury is as severe, any prolonged absence would significantly impact the Braves’ rotation, already stretched thin. They are coping without Reynaldo Lopez, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, and AJ Smith-Shawver, who is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery.

In Sale’s absence, the Braves will be relying on pitchers like Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach at the top of the rotation. Recent trends in the league show that teams often struggle with injuries; in fact, a 2023 survey found that about 60% of teams faced significant injuries at critical points in the season.

With rookie Didier Fuentes stepping into the starting lineup, Atlanta must adapt quickly to maintain its playoff hopes. The pressure is on, but the team has shown resilience in the past.

For now, Braves fans will closely follow Sale’s recovery, hoping he can return to the mound and continue his impressive comeback story.

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