The Atlanta Braves’ playoff hopes took a serious hit with the devastating injury to their most reliable arm, Chris Sale.
The Braves are currently third in the National League East standings and six games behind the final Wild Card spot, currently outside postseason contention. Their front office is under huge pressure to find solutions during the trade deadline, with veteran Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher looked at as a possible answer.
What Happened to Chris Sale?
The Braves placed Sale, the reigning Cy Young winner, on a 15-day Injured List on Saturday due to a fractured ribcage on his left side.
While there is no official confirmation on what led to the injury, it likely happened when the Braves pitcher dove for a groundball in the ninth inning of his start against the New York Mets. Sale is now expected to be sidelined for a long stretch.
There’s a good chance that Chris Sale ended up fracturing his rib on this impressive play. Terrible. Guy was having a great season once again.
— Courtney Finnicum (@courtney883) June 21, 2025
There is currently no return timeline for the Braves pitcher, which also leaves a massive hole in Atlanta’s rotation. One name already being floated as a potential stopgap? Veteran Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney.
Veteran Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney is among the names to be pushed as a quick solution after Sale’s injury.
Veteran Andrew Heaney Pushed as Braves Solution in Trade Deadline
Heaney turned heads with a strong start to the season, though he’s cooled off in recent outings. Still, he holds a 3-6 record with a 3.94 ERA across 82.1 innings over 15 starts.
The 34-year-old veteran, currently a reliable presence in the Pirates’ rotation, is seen as a potential solution for the Braves. Heaney checks several boxes as Atlanta is desperate for some stability after the loss of their most dependable arm – he can handle the big moments and has both experience, along with some form on his side.
Andrew Heaney, K’ing the Side in the 2nd.
6Ks thru 2. 😯 pic.twitter.com/z6FLuw0bEc
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 24, 2025
Importantly, Heaney is on an expiring deal and could give the Braves a reliable arm at a relatively low cost. While most established veterans are on contracts worth over $10 million, Heaney has just $5.25 million remaining on his salary for the rest of the season.
With Sale out indefinitely, the Braves know the clock is ticking. Heaney might not be a flashy name, but he offers exactly what Atlanta needs: stability, a dependable arm for their postseason push, and all without forcing the team to pay a huge price while compromising their future.
link