Chris Sale ejected before Braves-Yankees game following balk dispute

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected by umpire Dan Merzel before the first pitch of Sunday's game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The pre-game ejection stemmed from a dispute regarding a controversial balk call during Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees.

During Saturday's game, Merzel called a balk on Sale in the fifth inning, which allowed Yankees rookie Spencer Jones to score. Braves manager Walt Weiss was also ejected during that game while arguing the decision. Crew chief Dan Bellino explained that Sale, acting as a hybrid pitcher, was required to declare his intent to pitch from the windup, a declaration he failed to make before facing Austin Wells.

On Sunday, as the umpires entered the field, Sale began shouting at Merzel from the Braves' dugout, leading to his immediate removal from the game. The ejection marks the fourth of Sale's career and his first since 2019.