Braves Ace Chris Sale Ejected Before First Pitch Against Yankees
Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected on August 9, 2026, before the first pitch of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, following an intense conversation with plate umpire Dan Bellino and third-base umpire Dan Merzel, according to reporting by AP News and The Athletic.
The Escalation Leading to the Pre-Game Ejection
The unusual pre-game ejection unfolded while the Yankees’ defense was set, starting pitcher Cam Schlittler was on the mound, and Braves leadoff hitter Drake Baldwin was nearly ready to bat, as detailed by The Athletic. Television cameras captured Sale speaking from inside the Atlanta dugout with plate umpire Dan Bellino, who leaned over the railing. Third-base umpire Dan Merzel ultimately motioned for Sale to be thrown out while other umpires stood within earshot.
This incident followed a contentious series finale at Yankee Stadium. During the previous day’s game on August 8, 2026, a controversial balk call went against Sale, allowing Spencer Jones to score from third base with one out in the fifth inning, according to ESPN and Braves Today. Braves manager Walt Weiss was ejected during that game for arguing the call. Weiss stated after the game, according to the Associated Press, that Merzel made a terrible call regarding Sale’s pitching mechanics.
“Sale declared the hitter before that he was going out of the windup,” Weiss said, as reported by the Associated Press. “He said he did not declare after that. He’s never done that in his career, so it’s a terrible call. I always try to show the umpires respect, and they know that, but you can’t make that call right there.”
Historical Context and Precedents
The ejection marks the fourth of Sale’s career and his first since August 3, 2019, when he argued balls and strikes while pitching for the Boston Red Sox against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, according to The Athletic. Sale’s history of high-profile incidents includes a 2016 occurrence where he cut up Chicago White Sox throwback jerseys. Pre-game ejections remain rare in Major League Baseball. In 2015, then-Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price was thrown out after arguing with an umpire while bringing out the lineup card. In 2024, then-San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin was ejected before the first pitch of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field after talking extensively with the umpires.
The sequence left the Braves short-handed on the bench as they navigated the final stretch of the series against New York, ultimately concluding a challenging weekend in the Bronx marked by tight margins, tactical disputes, and unusual disciplinary actions.
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