Braves ace Chris Sale ejected before game against Yankees in New York

Umpire Dan Merzel tossed Chris Sale in New York before Sunday’s game began. The decision forced Atlanta to play without their starting pitcher.

Umpires walked onto the field near the third base dugout. Sale shouted toward them from the dugout area. Merzel removed him from the matchup.

Sale spoke with crew chief Dan Bellino by the railing. The incident happened before any pitches were thrown.

Atlanta later earned a 2-1 victory in the tenth inning. Center fielder Michael Harris II drove in the winning run with a base hit.

“I was by the bat rack because the game was about to start and I was getting my helmet,” Harris said. “I didn’t see him talking to him, but I actually seen the motion of him throwing him out. I was kind of confused but then I saw Sale and remember what happened yesterday and I put two and two together.”

Merzel called a balk on Sale during the fifth inning on Saturday. That ruling allowed rookie Spencer Jones to score from third base. Jones had reached third on a run-scoring triple.

Sale yelled at Merzel following that ruling. Manager Walt Weiss continued the dispute on Saturday. Merzel tossed Weiss from that contest.

“I think he had some words for the umpire from yesterday, but you know what, it’s behind us,” Weiss said. “Everyone had their say and we move on.”

Bellino spoke to a pool reporter following Saturday’s game. He said Sale did not announce he was using a windup delivery. Sale declared his windup before facing José Caballero but skipped the notice against Austin Wells.

This marked the fourth career exit for Sale. He had not received an ejection since Aug. 3, 2019. Umpire Mike Estabrook tossed him in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium that day.

Major League Baseball rules allow umpires to disqualify any player who uses improper language. Ejected personnel must immediately leave the field and dugout area.

Sale allowed five hits and three runs over six innings on Saturday in New York. The left-hander holds a 12-7 record with a 2.20 ERA in 21 starts.