Braves' Chris Sale Refuses to Use MLB's New Pitch Challenge System

The veteran lefty says he'll "never challenge a pitch" despite the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale has stated that he will not use the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System implemented in MLB for the 2026 season. Sale expressed that he is "not an umpire" and believes catchers make many pitches look like strikes, so he does not want to risk using up a challenge that could be needed later in the game.

Why it matters

The new ABS Challenge System is a significant change to how balls and strikes are called in MLB games, giving players the ability to challenge pitch calls. Sale's refusal to use the system goes against the league's intention and could set him apart from other pitchers who may choose to utilize the new tool.

The details

Under the new ABS Challenge System, each team gets two challenges per game, and only the pitcher, catcher or hitter can initiate a challenge by tapping their cap. A Statcast replay then determines if the pitch was in the strike zone. However, Sale says he will "never challenge a pitch" because he believes the catchers make many pitches look like strikes, and he doesn't want to risk using up a challenge that could be needed later in the game.

  • The ABS Challenge System has been implemented at the MLB level for the 2026 season.
  • Last season, Sale recorded a 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 165 strikeouts, 4.0 wins above replacement and a 161 ERA+ in 21 appearances (20 starts) and 125 2/3 innings pitched with the Braves.

The players

Chris Sale

A nine-time MLB All-Star pitcher who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves.

Braves

The professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia that Chris Sale plays for.

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What they’re saying

“I will never challenge a pitch. I'm not an umpire; that's their job. I'm a starting pitcher. I've never called balls and strikes in my life. Plus, I'm greedy, and I know that. I think they're all strikes. The catchers nowadays — the way they catch the ball, the way they receive it — they make them all [pitches] look like strikes.”

— Chris Sale, Braves Pitcher (foxsports.com)

The takeaway

Chris Sale's refusal to use the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System in MLB highlights the ongoing debate around the role of technology in umpiring and the differing perspectives of players on how the game should be officiated. His stance could set him apart from other pitchers who may choose to utilize the new challenge tool.