We’re barely a week into Spring Training, and already the Braves are battling the injury bug like it’s mid-August. It’s a theme that’s lingered since 2024 and, unfortunately for Atlanta, it’s still very much a part of the 2026 storyline.
Four key players are already expected to miss significant time, and the latest name added to that list is Hurston Waldrep. The young right-hander underwent an MRI that revealed loose bodies in his elbow - never the kind of news you want to hear about a pitcher.
There’s no clear timetable for his return just yet, and the team is hoping he can avoid surgery.
But let’s pivot to some brighter news - and a name Braves fans have come to rally around: Chris Sale.
Sale met with the media over the weekend and, beyond the usual Spring Training pleasantries, he made a statement that turned heads: he wants to finish his career in Atlanta.
“I would like to,” Sale said. “I really like being here.
These guys obviously gave me a shot and kind of picked me up from off the ground after I exited 2023 kind of limping into the offseason. Everyone’s been great to me here and I have really enjoyed being here.”
That’s not just lip service - it’s a reflection of a player who’s found new life in Atlanta. Remember, the Braves took a chance on Sale when the Red Sox were ready to pay $17 million just to get him off the books. That’s not hyperbole - Boston literally sent cash to help ship him out, unsure if the oft-injured lefty had anything left in the tank.
What followed might go down as one of the most impactful acquisitions in recent Braves memory.
Sale didn’t just bounce back - he dominated. He won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award, the first of his career, and followed it up with another strong campaign in 2025, even after missing time with a fractured rib cage.
That kind of production from a veteran with a long injury history? It’s rare.
And it’s exactly why Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is in no rush to see him go.
“I’m hoping Chris Sale is here as long as he wants to go and that would be our goal,” Anthopoulos said. “He’s one of my favorite players I’ve had as a GM.
I’m grateful I’ve had a chance to be part of his career and be a part of a team that has had him. Those guys are so hard to find and the value beyond what they do on the field is just immense.”
That last point is worth emphasizing - Sale’s value isn’t just about strikeouts and ERA. It’s about leadership, presence, and the example he sets for a clubhouse full of young arms trying to find their own path in the big leagues.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Anthopoulos, it’s that he’s not shy about rewarding players who fit that mold. Whether it’s locking up young talent early or giving veterans like Charlie Morton another run, he’s built a culture that values continuity and loyalty - and Sale fits right into that blueprint.
In fact, the Braves extended Sale before he even threw a pitch in an Atlanta uniform. That tells you everything you need to know about how much belief they had in his ability to bounce back - and how much they value what he brings to the table.
Now, with uncertainty surrounding the health and readiness of Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, Sale’s presence becomes even more critical. You don’t just let a pitcher of his caliber - especially one who’s proven he can still pitch at a Cy Young level - walk out the door without a serious conversation.
If Sale stays healthy and strings together another elite season, he’ll be in a strong position to command a multi-year deal in the $40-50 million range next winter. And based on everything we’ve seen - from his performance on the mound to the way the front office talks about him - there’s every reason to believe the Braves would be willing to make that happen.
He’s earned it. And in a rotation that’s been hit hard by injuries, Chris Sale might just be the steadying force Atlanta needs to weather the storm - and make another deep run come October.