Chris Sale Declares He'll 'Never' Use MLB's New ABS Challenge System

Braves LHP Chris Sale declared he will "never" use MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, stating it's the umpire's job to call pitches and he doesn't want to waste challenges. The ABS system, implemented for the 2026 season, allows players to challenge calls. Sale, a nine-time All-Star, won the 2024 NL Cy Young with the Braves, leading the NL in ERA (2.38), strikeouts (225), and wins (18). In 2025, he posted a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts despite a rib injury.