Before the first pitch of Sunday’s matchup between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium, left-hander Chris Sale was ejected from the game.
Sale wasn’t going to pitch in the game, so it doesn’t really matter for the Braves that he had been removed from the dugout.
Sale started Saturday’s game and was called for a balk in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing a Yankees runner to score. Sale clearly seemed upset at the time, and it led to Braves manager Walt Weiss arguing with the umpire and being ejected. It marked the first time Weiss had been ejected from a game.
The Yankees won Saturday’s game 5-4.
Social Media Reacts to Chris Sale Ejection
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: Home plate umpire Dan Merzel #3 talks to manager Walt Weiss #22 and Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves after a balk call during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 08, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
@BryanHoch: “Braves pitcher Chris Sale was just ejected from the game. Still chippy over that balk yesterday.”
@MrChadBishop: “Chris Sale has been ejected from today’s game ha!”
@A_Huffstutler: “I support him! That ump changed the game… and will get zero punishment, etc for being wrong!”
@_whosentyou_: “They need to look into that Ump. He was terrible yesterday and it’s carrying over to today’s game already.”
@DPLennon: “Press box PA just announced that Chris Sale has been ejected from today’s game. It hadn’t even started yet. Sale wasn’t going to pitch in it anyway, but still …”
@tosprov: “He did balk yesterday. That was the right call”
Looking at Chris Sale This Season
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 17: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Sale, likely a future Hall of Famer, is having one of the best seasons of his career as a 37-year-old.
The southpaw has posted 4.1 bWAR and a 2.20 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 151 strikeouts in 123 innings across 21 starts.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 29: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the second inning against the New York Mets in game two of a double header at Citi Field on July 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
In his 16-year MLB career, Sale has posted 61.3 bWAR and a 2.96 ERA with 2,730 strikeouts.
Sale is being paid $18 million this year. He will make $27 million next season and has a $30 million club option for 2030.
Atlanta Braves Right Now
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 20: Manager Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves calls for a pitching change during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on July 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Braves lost the first two games of the three-game series against the Yankees.
Before that, Atlanta won eight games in a row.
After the Yankees series, the Braves will host the New York Mets for a three-game set, beginning on Monday night.
MLB World Reacts to Chris Sale Ejection in Braves-Yankees Game