Left-hander Chris Sale is not on the Atlanta Braves' roster for their National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, it was announced Tuesday.
Sale, a contender for the NL Cy Young Award, was a late scratch Monday for Game 2 of Atlanta's doubleheader against the New York Mets due to back spasms, with the Braves needing a win to advance to the playoffs.
The Braves on Monday said Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) wouldn't be available until at least the Division Series. He hasn't pitched since Sept.