The Atlanta Braves have exercised their $18 million option for the 2026 season on left-handed pitcher Chris Sale, which keeps the NL Cy Young award winner on their roster (according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network.)

Despite a fractured rib which cost Sale two months of the 2025 season, the lefty had another stellar season with a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 125.2 innings, with his 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings ranked second among all players with at least 100 innings.

A native of Lakeland, FL, Sale, 36, is headed into his 16th big league season, and third with the Braves. The lefty was the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner, claiming the Triple Crown with 18 wins, 225 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA. Sale, a nine-time All-Star, has also previously played with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, winning the World Series with Boston in 2018.

In 393 career appearances (with 312 starts) Sale holds a 145-88 record, with a 3.01 ERA and WHIP of 1.046 over 2,084.0 IP.

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