Sports

Chris Sale will make spring debut Sunday for Braves

Former Cy Young winner missed the last two months of last season with rib injury.

Pitcher Chris Sale will start the Braves’ spring training home opener against the Twins. It’s the unofficial start to what the 36-year-old lefty hopes is a healthy and prolific season. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC 2025)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Pitcher Chris Sale will start the Braves’ spring training home opener against the Twins. It’s the unofficial start to what the 36-year-old lefty hopes is a healthy and prolific season. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC 2025)

By Gabriel Burns

Feb 21, 2026

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Chris Sale will take the mound in a game for the first time since last season Sunday.

Sale, the 2024 National League Cy Young winner, will start the Braves’ spring training home opener against the Twins. It’s the unofficial start to what the 36-year-old lefty hopes is a healthy and prolific season.

ExploreChris Sale hopes to spend rest of career with Braves

Sale missed two months last season because of a fractured rib cage sustained on a diving play. But he was magnificent before and after the injury: Sale had a 2.58 ERA in his 21 outings, striking out 165 hitters in 125-2/3 innings.

This is the final year of Sale’s contract. He and the team have expressed interest in continuing what’s been a successful union.

The Braves open Grapefruit League play Saturday against the Rays, the first of 31 exhibition games this season.

Explore5 things to watch for as Braves begin Grapefruit League play

About the Author

More Stories

Keep Reading

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Chris Sale sharp in Grapefruit League debut

Atlanta starting pitcher throws two scoreless innings against the Twins in his first action of spring training.

OPINION

Braves have a lot riding on Spencer Strider’s fastball

The pitch that helped him reach 500 strikeouts faster than any other starter in MLB history faltered after he came back from injury, but it looks to be returning this spring.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Braves need more from Riley: ‘They pay me to hit homers and drive in runs’

Austin Riley hasn’t been awful at the plate, but the Braves need more than slightly above-average production from the highest-paid player in franchise history.

The Latest

Son of Braves legend signed to minor league contract

OPINION

Here’s a prediction of what the Braves’ TV arrangement will look like

SPRING TRAINING

Live updates: Braves beat Orioles in Sarasota

Featured

Credit: AP

With Kemp at his side, Dooley struggles in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is betting a political novice can overcome a slow start to win the GOP primary and defeat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Judge who jailed woman for ‘daddy issues’ steps down

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela Williams resigned effective immediately Friday while facing removal from office in a misconduct case.

Take a midnight train to the Fred’s 2026 Peachtree City concert series

The Fred 2026 concert series includes Blackberry Smoke, Gladys Knight, Collective Soul, Pat Benatar and Little Feat.