Left-hander Chris Sale is not on the Atlanta Braves‘ roster for their National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, it was announced Tuesday.
Sale, a contender for the NL Cy Young Award, was a late scratch Monday for Game 2 of Atlanta’s doubleheader against the New York Mets due to back spasms, with the Braves needing a win to advance to the playoffs.
The Braves on Monday said Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) wouldn’t be available until at least the division series. He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 19, when his velocity fell in the second half of a start in Cincinnati; his velocity was down to 92.7 mph on average from 95.9 in his previous start.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sale has dealt with back issues periodically all season.
Right-handers Bryce Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver made Atlanta’s roster for the best-of-three series and are candidates to start Game 1 on Tuesday in San Diego (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes were both left off the roster after they pitched against the Mets on Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.