Braves' Chris Sale receives $57M contract update after Spring Training start as retirement looms originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are always known for their pitching rotation, and it looks very exciting on paper. However, injuries plagued the rotation last year, and they are already starting to make their presence felt this season. The biggest question for the Braves and manager Walt Weiss is how they will begin the regular season rotation wise.

“Weiss said he hasn't decided whether the Braves will begin the season with a 6-man rotation. But with the team scheduled to play each of the season's first 13 days, a 6-man rotation seems to make sense. This is assuming they still have 6 available SPs to begin the year,” Braves writer Mark Bowman posted.

Another concern for the Braves’ rotation is that, after 2026, there are hardly any pitchers under contract. The only confirmed contracts belong to two of the younger arms on the staff.

“Beyond Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, there are no clear locks for the Atlanta Braves rotation beyond 2026,” HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote.

The Braves cleared part of that problem on Tuesday morning when it was announced that ace Chris Sale received his long-awaited contract extension with the organization. This is likely the last contract he will sign before retiring.

“Nine-time All-Star Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a one-year, $27 million contract extension that includes a club option for $30 million in 2028, sources tell ESPN. Sale, 36, was set to hit free agency after this season but will remain in Atlanta,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.

There is no doubt that Sale turned his career around after coming to Atlanta and has been their go-to guy ever since. Sale is the definition of a true clubhouse leader and has consistently been the best arm in the Braves’ rotation.

The Braves wanted to secure Sale for the future and now will have three key pitchers locked up through 2027. This season will be telling with a new coaching staff, but there is no question that the talent is in place.

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