Chris Sale achieved a significant step in his comeback journey for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, completing a live batting practice session that involved throwing 30 pitches across two simulated innings. This milestone is a crucial part of Chris Sale rehab progress update as he works to return to competitive action after injury.
During the session, Sale followed the routine of pitching through an inning, sitting in the dugout to mimic the opposing half, and then resuming his throwing, simulating actual game conditions. Both Sale and manager Brian Snitker expressed satisfaction with the results of the outing.
Positive Assessment from Sale and Braves Manager
Sale highlighted the importance of how he felt after the session, stating,
“The most important thing is feeling good afterwards, and I was able to throw strikes too,”
underscoring his focus on both health and effectiveness. His mechanics appeared solid, providing further confidence in his recovery.
Snitker indicated that if Sale feels just as good after Friday’s session, the next phase will likely be a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. Since Sale is eligible for activation on August 19, this timeline allows for a few minor league rehab starts before a potential return to the major league mound.
Progress After Overcoming Extended Pain from Injury
Sale’s path to this point has been impressive, considering he began ramping up his throwing only a few weeks ago after suffering two fractured ribs on his left side in mid-June. The initial recovery phase involved waiting for the pain to fully subside over a four-week period before starting to play catch.
Reflecting on the difficulty of his early recovery, Sale shared,
“For the first two weeks, it felt like it was never ending,”
but noted a turning point by the third week when improvements became noticeable. He added,
“Every day since then, it just got a little bit better, a little bit better, a little bit better.”
His rehab regimen has included long toss throwing up to 150 feet, helping build arm strength steadily.
Balancing Health, Playing Time, and Future Seasons
Sale addressed fans’ concerns about whether he should sit out the remainder of the season. Though Snitker has previously argued against resting him entirely, Sale provided insight into his perspective, noting the benefits of pitching now to reduce the workload required next year.
“It would be hard to push toward that 200-inning mark next year,”
he said,
“So, I think to being able to get some innings under my belt this year is going to protect me for next year.”
This approach aims to carefully manage his innings to avoid overexertion and facilitate a healthier long-term return to form.
Current Season Performance Highlights
Prior to his injury, Sale had compiled strong statistics in 15 starts, posting a 2.52 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and recording 114 strikeouts over 89⅓ innings. These numbers demonstrate his value to the Braves’ pitching staff and set the stage for an anticipated impact upon his return.
Sale’s dedication to the rehabilitation process and the encouragement from the organization suggest he is on a promising path toward rejoining the Braves rotation and contributing to their season’s final stretch.