Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale was scratched from
his start against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night after he was
involved in what the team said was a ''non-physical clubhouse
incident.''
Sale, who was to attempt to become the majors' first 15-game
winner, was sent home from the park.
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
used six pitchers before the game was suspended after eight innings
tied at 3 due to rain. 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, who is 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. ''And the guys that may come available are going to
come at a steep price.''
Hahn said Thursday the White Sox were ''mired in mediocrity'' and
hinted at possible big roster changes.
