Atlanta Braves fans were stunned by the news that ace Chris Sale has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a fractured rib. Though the exact cause hasn’t been confirmed, it’s believed the injury happened when Sale dove for a ground ball in the ninth inning of his outing against the Mets.
Just as the team seemed to be regaining momentum, this injury delivers a major setback. The Braves were already planning to be active at the trade deadline, but until now, bolstering the rotation wasn’t high on the list. That’s changed with Sale’s uncertain recovery timeline. Rib fractures can take weeks, if not months, to heal, and the Braves will want to ensure he’s 100% before his return.
With that in mind, general manager Alex Anthopoulos may need to explore trade options to strengthen the rotation. Here are three potential targets:
1. Charlie Morton
Yes, this might seem like a stretch given Morton’s rocky season. He’s posted a 5.64 ERA over 67 innings, along with 32 walks and 74 strikeouts. However, Morton has been solid lately, going 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 10 walks, and 44 strikeouts over his last seven starts. He’s a known clubhouse fit and postseason-tested veteran. The trade risk is real, but so is the affordability and familiarity.
2. Tyler Anderson
Anderson is currently struggling, particularly in June with a 9.00 ERA. Still, his early season performance (3.39 ERA over 11 starts) shows he’s capable of being a reliable contributor. The bigger issue is whether the Angels would be willing to move him, given they’re still close in the Wild Card race. That said, his left-handed presence would add value to the Braves’ rotation, and Anthopoulos has a good working relationship with Angels GM Perry Minasian, which could help facilitate a deal.
3. Andrew Heaney
Heaney had a strong start to the season, though he’s cooled down recently. Even so, he holds a 3-5 record with a 3.33 ERA across 82.1 innings. While he may not be a frontline arm like Sale, he’s a dependable mid-rotation option with postseason experience. With a salary of $5.25 million, he also represents a cost-effective move.
With Chris Sale sidelined indefinitely, these three pitchers could help patch the hole in Atlanta’s rotation and keep the team in contention.
