Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale was a late scratch from his start Saturday against the Detroit Tigers, speculating trade rumors.
Instead, it was because he was involved in what the team says was a "clubhouse incident."
“Chris Sale has been scratched from tonight’s scheduled start and sent home from the ballpark by the White Sox due to a clubhouse incident before the game," White Sox senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club.
“The White Sox will have no additional comment until the investigation is completed.”
Several sources reported Sale was upset about wearing a throwback uniform, so he cut them up so no one could wear it.
Not a joke: Source says Sale blowup was because he didn't want to wear throwbacks, so he cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them.
— Tommy Stokke (@StokkeTommy) July 23, 2016
Yup, it's true. Chris Sale got sent home by White Sox for cutting up a jersey he didn't want to wear. Source confirms @StokkeTommy report.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2016
Sources say: Sale cut up throwbacks during batting practice. Upset that, in his view, PR and jersey sales were more important than winning.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
The White Sox were expected to wear collared, blue and white V-neck jerseys first worn during the 1976 season. With not enough usable 1976 jerseys available, the White Sox wore white throwback uniforms from the 1983 season.
Here's the jersey that Chris Sale reportedly hated so much pic.twitter.com/2SYNun8FH2
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 24, 2016
Matt Albers said he was informed about two hours before the game that he would start in Sale's place. The White Sox went on to use six pitchers before the game was postponed tied at 3-3 because of rain after eight innings.
"You probably know what happened," Albers said. "But we're going to keep it in-house."
FanRag Sports first reported Sale was protesting the 1976 jerseys. It was 91 degrees with high humidity when the game began.
Sale then reportedly cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game and was told to leave the stadium.
The White Sox had expected to be in contention for the postseason, but have faded (46-50), making Sale expendable.
The Texas Rangers appear to be the front-runners to land the All-Star, but the asking price is said to be very high. The Boston Red Sox have also shown interest.
If he were traded the Rangers, he would join a formidable rotation that includes Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish.
He has a very team-friendly contract and is under contract through the 2017 season. The club has options in 2018 and 2019 that likely will be exercised. If so, he would earn $38 million between 2017-19.
The five-time All-Star leads the American League with 14 wins and has a 3.18 ERA and is 71-43 with a 2.97 ERA for his career.
This isn't Sale's first run-in with the organization. During spring training, Sale was openly critical of team president Ken Williams after he told Adam LaRoche his son was no longer allowed in the clubhouse. LaRoche decided to retire.
Official: Chris Sale has been scratched from tonight’s scheduled start.
STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/wOB8JTsjzu
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 23, 2016Contributing: Associated Press
