Sale out after ‘clubhouse incident’
White Sox pitcher reportedly was opposed to wearing team’s throwback jersey
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale was scratched from his start against the Detroit Tigers Saturday night after he was involved in what the team said was a “non-physical clubhouse incident.”
Sale, who was to try to become the majors’ first 15-game winner, was sent home from the park.
FanRag Sports first reported the incident involved Sale’s protest of the throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to wear. Fox Sports reported Sale cut up the throwback jerseys during batting practice.
“The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement.
“The White Sox will have no additional comment until the investigation is completed.”
The White Sox marketing department described the night as the ‘Throwback Game.’ It announced the team would wear collared, blue and white V-neck jerseys first worn during the 1976 season.
The players instead wore more conventional, throwback white jerseys with no collar and no navy.
Right-hander Matt Albers started in Sale’s place and the White Sox planned to use multiple relievers. The crowd booed when Albers was announced as the starter as the teams warmed up.
With the White Sox fading from playoff contention, Sale’s name has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams.
The left-hander, 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, has been outspoken in the past.
Sale was openly critical of team president Ken Williams during spring training when he said the son of teammate Adam LaRoche would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. LaRoche retired as a result and Sale hung LaRoche’s jersey in his locker.
The 27-year-old Sale has said he’d like to stay in Chicago. He was the 13th overall pick out of Florida Gulf Coast in 2010 and has been selected as an all-star five times. He started for the American League in this month’s All-Star Game.
Sale, 71-43 in his career, entered the day leading the majors with 133 innings pitched and three complete games.
In his last outing Monday, Sale allowed one hit over eight shutout innings before closer David Robertson gave up four runs in the ninth in Chicago’s loss to Seattle.
The White Sox, who started 23-10, had dropped eight of nine games before Saturday and sat in fourth place in the AL Central, creating speculation that Sale and fellow lefty Jose Quintana could be dealt.
Tigers GM Al Avila said before the game that many teams are looking for starting pitching.
“Yet there are not as many good starting pitchers available,” Avila said.
Hahn said Thursday the White Sox were “mired in mediocrity” and hinted at possible big roster changes.