Chris Sale’s next start pushed back after Braves roster move

The Atlanta Braves are 74-51, first place in the National League East and six and a half games up on the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. It has been a splendid bounceback season after a below .500 finish in 2025. The team has done this despite a lack of name-brand starting pitchers. Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez have all started 20 games or more, and all have an ERA under four. This has been a huge success for the Braves’ pitching coaches. The name that everybody expected to be good is of course veteran lefty Chris Sale. Since coming to Atlanta in 2024, he has been nothing short of fantastic. Following a slew of injuries to end his Boston Red Sox tenure, the left-hander has stayed healthy for the most part during his three seasons with the Braves. MORE: Mets call up 5-year veteran for potential final opportunity in MLB Sale’s 2026 Aug 14, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) pitches the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Sale won the National League Cy Young Award in 2024, and he might just be better this year. In 22 starts, he has pitched 129 innings with a 12-8 record and 2.16 ERA. He has struck out 160 and walked 28. It is unlikely he will win this season’s NL Cy Young because of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski and his great season. However, he will certainly get some votes. As reported Tuesday, the 37-year-old will be getting two extra days off from the mound. His next start will come on Friday at the Milwaukee Brewers instead of Wednesday at the Minnesota Twins. It will be the young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver coming off the injured list to make the Wednesday start, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Smith-Shawver The 23-year-old tore his UCL in May 2025, getting Tommy John Surgery in June of that year. He came back on July 29 this year to make a start at the New York Mets. He threw 4 ⅓ innings allowing two runs. Smith-Shawver has been at Triple-A Gwinnett since, making five starts this season with a 1.66 ERA. The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2023, but has only started in 16 games. He is 4-2 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 70 in 78 ⅓ innings. The corresponding roster move will be reliever Tyler Kinley being designated for assignment, the team announced.   — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —