The Braves exercised Chris Sale’s $18M option, keeping him for 2026 after a strong 2025 season despite injury.

The Atlanta Braves have exercised the $18 million team option on left-handed pitcher Chris Sale, securing his return for the 2026 season. Sale, 37, posted a 7-5 record with a 2.58 ERA in 2025, missing 10 weeks due to a fractured ribcage but returning to post four nine-strikeout games in September. In his 2024 debut with Atlanta, he led the National League with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts. Over his 13-year career, primarily with the White Sox and Red Sox, Sale has a 145-88 record, 3.01 ERA, and 2,579 strikeouts in 2,084 innings.