Chris Sale already was involved in trade speculation around Major League Baseball, and things reportedly are growing heated in Chicago for the White Sox ace.
Sale was scratched from his Saturday night start against the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field just one hour before first pitch, and the trade rumors immediately started flying. Reports came out all over Twitter that Sale was battling the flu, but things turned strange after the White Sox released this statement.
Official: Chris Sale has been scratched from tonight’s scheduled start.
STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/wOB8JTsjzu
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 23, 2016
Sale had been vocal with White Sox management in the past, most recently reportedly getting into an argument with team president Kenny Williams over the ban on Adam LaRoche’s son, Drake, in the clubhouse, which led to the first baseman’s retirement. But Saturday’s alleged argument was a little different, according to FanRag Sports’ Tommy Stokke.
Not a joke: Source says Sale blowup was because he didn't want to wear throwbacks, so he cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them.
— Tommy Stokke (@StokkeTommy) July 23, 2016
Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan and FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal both backed up Stokke’s report, with Rosenthal adding Sale’s main complaint was the throwback uniforms were uncomfortable. And The Score’s Julie DiCaro added this little tidbit about the tirade.
https://twitter.com/JulieDiCaro/status/757009203676516352
Sale allegedly left the ballpark after the incident, but there were conflicting reports on whether the White Sox asked him to or if he left on his own.
Matt Albers, a reliever who hadn’t made a major league start since 2008, started in Sale’s place and lasted just two innings. Sale, who’s 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, had been looking to become the first starter in the league to earn his 15th win.
Earlier in the day, longtime MLB insider Jon Heyman reported the White Sox would ask for “five top prospects” in any trade for Sale.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
