Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale was ejected before the first pitch of Sunday's game against the New York Yankees [1].
The incident is rare because Sale was not scheduled to pitch in the game and was removed before any play began [1].
Umpire Dan Merzel issued the ejection at Yankee Stadium in New York City [2]. The confrontation occurred on Aug. 9, 2026, as the teams prepared for the matchup [2].
According to reports, the dispute centered on a balk call made during the previous day's game [3]. That specific call had resulted in a run being scored [3]. Sale argued the play with Merzel, and the umpire said he was ejecting him from the contest [3].
Sale's removal means he was unavailable for the duration of the game, despite his role as a primary asset for the Braves' rotation [1]. The ejection highlights the lingering tension often found in high-stakes series between the two franchises.
While ejections are common during active play, the timing of this incident, occurring before the official start of the game, is an unusual application of umpire authority [2].
“Chris Sale was ejected before the first pitch of Sunday's game against the New York Yankees”
This event underscores the strict authority of MLB umpires to maintain order and discipline, even regarding events that occurred in previous games. By ejecting a player who was not even scheduled to play, the league reinforces a zero-tolerance policy for arguing officials, regardless of the timing or the player's status for that specific game.
