Spring Camp Notes: Chris Sale Eyes Final Chapter in Atlanta, Kim Recovery on Track, and Braves’ Rotation Plans Shift
It’s been a typical start to spring training for the Atlanta Braves - a mix of optimism, high expectations, and, yes, a few early injury concerns. That’s life for a team built to contend. The Braves are entering 2026 with a loaded roster and World Series aspirations, but the early days of camp have already delivered a few storylines worth tracking.
Let’s break down the biggest developments out of Braves camp, from Chris Sale’s future to Ha-Seong Kim’s injury update and where things stand with Atlanta’s starting rotation plans.
Chris Sale Wants to Finish His Career in Atlanta - and the Feeling’s Mutual
When the Braves traded for Chris Sale two years ago, it was viewed as a calculated gamble - a high-upside move for a team that believed in its infrastructure and medical staff. Fast forward to now, and it’s safe to say the deal has paid off. Sale has been a stabilizing force in Atlanta’s rotation, and more than that, he’s become a clubhouse cornerstone.
Now, as he enters the final year of his contract - a deal that pays him $18 million in 2026 - Sale has made it clear: he wants to end his career in Atlanta.
“I would like to [finish my career with the Braves],” Sale told reporters. “I really like being here.
These guys obviously gave me a shot and picked me up off the ground. I ended ’23 kind of limping into the offseason.
Everyone has been great to me here, and I really enjoy being here.”
That kind of honesty resonates, especially from a veteran who’s been through the grind. Sale will turn 37 this season, and while there’s no telling how many years he has left in the tank, his mindset and performance suggest he’s not ready to slow down just yet.
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos echoed that sentiment, calling Sale “one of my favorite players I’ve had as a GM.” He praised Sale’s impact both on and off the field, noting that his value goes far beyond the box score.
“The hope is that he plays as long as he wants to and that it will be with the Braves,” Anthopoulos said.
It’s rare to see this kind of mutual admiration between player and front office, but it’s clear both sides see a future together. If Sale delivers another strong season, don’t be surprised if talks about a new deal pick up before the year is out.
Ha-Seong Kim Injury Update: Return Timeline Looking More Optimistic
The Braves’ signing of Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million deal was one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason - a high-floor, high-upside play at a position that needed stability. So when news broke that Kim had suffered a right middle finger injury, the initial reaction was understandably deflating.
Early reports suggested a 6-to-8 week absence, putting his return somewhere in mid-to-late May. But there’s some encouraging news: Kim could be back a bit sooner than expected.
GM Alex Anthopoulos provided an update this week, saying there’s hope Kim returns in early May. That would put him on the earlier end of his recovery timeline and give the Braves a boost heading into the heart of the season.
In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon is ready to step in. The versatile infielder is expected to handle the starting shortstop duties on Opening Day, and he’s embracing the opportunity. Once Kim is healthy, Dubon becomes a valuable bench piece - a luxury for any contender.
The Braves have the depth to weather Kim’s absence, but there’s no doubt they’ll be eager to get his glove and bat back in the lineup.
Braves’ Rotation Search Stalls - Internal Competition Heating Up
All offseason, the Braves made it clear they were looking to add another starting pitcher. With playoff-tested arms like Ranger Suárez, Chris Bassitt, and others available at various points, fans were waiting for that final splash to round out the rotation.
But it never came.
Now, with spring training underway, it appears the Braves are content - or at least willing - to roll with what they’ve got. And to be fair, there’s plenty of talent in-house.
Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Grant Holmes form a strong top four, assuming health. That’s the catch, though - health.
Strider and López both come with injury histories, and Holmes is still proving he can hold down a consistent role. That fifth spot? It’s wide open.
Anthopoulos was asked about the possibility of adding an external arm for insurance, and while he didn’t rule it out, the tone suggested it’s not a pressing priority. With most of the top free-agent arms off the board - Bassitt landed in Baltimore, Zac Gallen returned to Arizona - the Braves may have missed their window for a big-name addition.
That leaves the trade market or internal competition as the likely paths forward. And given how Anthopoulos has operated in the past, don’t be surprised if he lets the spring play out before making any moves.
For now, the message is clear: the Braves are betting on their depth, their development system, and the idea that one of their internal options will rise to the occasion.
Big Picture: A Contender with Questions - and Plenty of Answers
Injuries are part of the spring training script - no team escapes unscathed. But the Braves are in a strong position. Chris Sale is healthy and locked in, Ha-Seong Kim is trending in the right direction, and the rotation still has a chance to be one of the league’s best if the pieces hold together.
There’s work to be done, and the front office knows it. But this is a club built on stability, star power, and smart roster construction. With Sale anchoring the rotation and Kim’s return on the horizon, the Braves are still very much on track to be a force in 2026.