Braves exercise $18M option to retain LHP Chris Sale for 2026
Sep 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves are exercising the $18 million team option in Chris Sale's contract to keep the left-hander in the fold for 2026.
Sale was 7-5 with a 2.58 ERA in 2025 but spent 10 weeks on the injured list with a fractured ribcage. He had 165 strikeouts, including four nine-K games in five starts in September after he rejoined the rotation.
Sale turns 37 on March 30, scheduled to be the opening game of Atlanta's second series of the 2026 regular season.
In his debut season in Atlanta and the National League in 2024, Sale led the NL with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts.
He spent 13 seasons in the American League, breaking in with the Chicago White Sox in 2010 before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2017.
In 393 games (312 starts), Sale has a 145-88 record. He has an ERA of 3.01 and 2,579 strikeouts in 2,084 innings.
--Field Level Media
Should the Celtics Blow It Up? Analyzing Every Major Option
MLB Betting Picks Today: Wednesday May 6th Predictions
2026 Feels Like the Year for Minnesota Sports
- NBA Best Bets Today: Conference Semifinals Game 1 Predictions
- MLB Betting Picks Today: Tuesday May 5th Pitcher Prop Bets
- NBA Playoff Game 1 Bet Picks: 76ers vs Knicks and Timberwolves vs Spurs Bets
- Best NBA Bets Today: Game 7 Picks for Cavs vs Raptors, Magic vs Pistons
- Why Cavaliers Should Cover at Home in Game 7 Against Raptors
- Best NBA Playoff Parlays Today: LeBron, Cade Cunningham and More
- UFC Fight Night Perth Betting Picks: Top Bets and Predictions
