Chris Salemade an excellent diving stop on a grounder byJuan Sotofor the first out of the ninth inning to finish off his start against theNew York Metson Wednesday night. Yet going hard to the ground cost the veteran left-hander a trip to the injured list. TheAtlanta Bravesannounced Saturday thatSale is going to the 15-day ILwith a fractured ribcage. The injury occurred as Sale pitched his best game of the season, with 8 2/3 scoreless innings, five hits, one walk allowed and seven strikeouts. Sale actually stayed in the game after the play to strike outPete Alonsoon four pitches before leaving the game after allowing a bloop single toBrandon Nimmo. He threw 116 pitches overall, 85 for strikes. CHRIS SALE GOES ALL OUT! 🤯pic.twitter.com/NGEAjZLPEO — MLB (@MLB)June 19, 2025 The reigningNational League Cy Young Award winnerhas a 2.52 ERA (third among NL starting pitchers) and 5-4 record in 15 starts, compiling 114 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings. WithWednesday's 5-0 win, the Braves (34-40) had victories in six of their past eight games, part of a stretch during which Atlanta won seven of 10. Perhaps more importantly for the NL East standings, it was the fifth straight loss in what's becomea seven-game losing streakfor the Mets that's knocked themout of first place(45-31) in the division. Sale's IL stint is backdated to Thursday, which would make him eligible to return July 3. However, a rib injury could keep him out for a longer period. Salesuffered a stress fracturein his right rib cage before the 2022 season that sidelined him for more than three months. This current injury appears to be to Sale's left rib cage, based on how he landed. The Braves had a strong top three to their starting rotation with Sale,Spencer SchwellenbachandSpencer Strider, who recently returned afterrecovering from elbow surgery. Grant Holmes (3-6, 3.97 ERA), Bryce Elder (2-3, 4.45) and Didier Fuentes (0-1, 7.20) currently fill out the rest of Atlanta's starting staff. Atlanta lostAJ Smith-Shawverto Tommy John surgeryearlier this month. Prior to Sale's last start, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos shot down any idea of Sale being traded. "Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps," Anthopoulos said during an interview on Atlanta's 680 The Fan,via MLB.com. He also cited the Braves havingan $18 million club option for 2026on Sale as a reason why he won't be dealt. To fill Sale's spot on the active roster, the Braves recalled reliever Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett. The left-hander had a 4.85 ERA in 11 appearances for the Stripers. Atlanta signed him after he was released by theKansas City Royalsearlier in the season.