Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale did not take the mound Saturday for his scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers after a disagreement over the team’s choice of jersey.
The White Sox released a statement on Twitter before the game against their division rivals, noting he was “sent home” because of a “clubhouse incident.”
Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports cited a source who said the “blowup was because he didn’t want to wear throwbacks, so he cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them.” Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports confirmed the report, while c of Fox Sports quoted a source who said, “Sale asked that they not wear (throwbacks) on his day because they are uncomfortable. Things escalated when they wouldn’t relent.”
Rosenthal also cited a source who said Sale chose the jersey the team wore in each of his previous appearances, as has every White Sox starter this season. Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score adds, “told Sale used a knife to do whatever cutting he did of uniforms.”
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the incident involved the team’s “front office/staff” rather than Sale’s teammates.
On Sunday, Sale was suspended five days following the incident, according to the White Sox:
This is not the first time Sale has had a problem with the front office. Bob Nightengale of USA Today stated in March that the pitcher “accused executive vice president Ken Williams of lying to players” after Adam LaRoche retired before the season. According to Nightengale, LaRoche left the White Sox “after Williams informed him that he must limit” his son’s access to the clubhouse.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Matt Albers will start in the southpaw’s place. Albers has not started a game since 2008, when he pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, although he has 42 appearances in the bullpen this season, with a 5.03 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Given the looming August 1 trade deadline, it was logical to wonder if he was pulled because he was involved in a transaction before the White Sox made their statement.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network cited a source who said “Sale was not scratched due to a trade,” although Jon Morosi of MLB Network pointed out that “Sale being scratched does not mean White Sox have agreed to a trade, but it indicates talks have progressed with at least [one] team.”
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