SAN DIEGO — MLB.com is reporting that Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale is not on the roster for the wildcard round against the San Diego Padres.
Sale has been the Braves most consistent and dominant pitcher in 2024, posting an 18-3 record with a 2.38 ERA in 177 2/3 innings. He fanned a National League-best 225 batters and walked just 39.
But he has been plagued by back spasms going back to a Sept. 19 start in Cincinnati. He was unable to start Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the New York Mets that was a must-win for the Braves to even get in the postseason.
Atlanta opens its best-of-three series Tuesday night in San Diego (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). Braves manager Brian Snitker has said it will be a game-time decision.
The Braves are carrying 13 pitchers and 13 position players for this series.
The Padres won 4 of the 7 regular season meetings with Atlanta in 2024.
