The Atlanta Braves will give Chris Sale an extra day of rest before his next outing, with manager Walt Weiss adjusting the club's rotation ahead of a marquee weekend series against the New York Yankees.
Before Friday's opener at Yankee Stadium, Weiss explained the decision behind the move. As Jesús Cano reported on X, the Braves manager said, "Always looking for extra days for Chris. That usually drives these things." The change pushes Sale's scheduled start to Saturday while newly acquired Tyler Mahle will make his Atlanta debut in Friday's series opener.
The Braves enter the weekend at 70-45, holding an 8.5-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies atop the National League East.
The updated rotation now features Mahle facing former Braves left-hander Max Fried on Friday, Sale taking on Gerrit Cole in Saturday's headline matchup and Grant Holmes opposing Cam Schlittler in Sunday's series finale.
Mahle was acquired at the trade deadline to strengthen Atlanta's rotation, and his arrival gives the Braves added flexibility to manage Sale's workload without disrupting the rest of the staff.
Sale has rewarded that careful approach throughout the season. The 37-year-old enters Saturday with a 12-6 record, a 2.08 ERA and 143 strikeouts across 117 innings while continuing to pitch like one of the National League's top starters.
incent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Atlanta's coaching staff has remained mindful of Sale's workload, particularly after his most recent outing reached 101 pitches. Weiss' latest decision reflects the club's season-long effort to keep the veteran left-hander fresh while preserving one of baseball's top starters for the stretch run.
The extra day of rest also allows the Braves to maximize the depth they added at the trade deadline without rushing Sale back on regular rest. With Atlanta sitting comfortably atop the NL East, the club can afford to prioritize the veteran's long-term health as it continues its push toward October.
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