NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves are banking on Chris Sale to deliver big things as he joins a team with World Series expectations and a chip on its shoulder.
Sale knows a thing or two about both of those things.
A fiery competitor with an electric arsenal that helped him rack up strikeouts during a 13-year career in the American League, Sale helped the Boston Red Sox win a title in 2018.
Unfortunately, his biggest battle in the years that followed was the one to stay healthy.
For the first time since 2019, Sale has entered spring training feeling good about his overall state of being and ready to embrace the challenge and the opportunity with his new team.
“This is the first time I’ve gone into an offseason without dealing with something since 2018,” said Sale, who will turn 35 on March 30. “I had a lot of fun this offseason being able to play baseball and do things I haven’t been able to do.”