Sox ace Chris Sale sent home after "non-physical", pregame incident
— -- CHICAGO -- The White Sox scratched ace Chris Sale from Saturday night's start against the Detroit Tigers for what the team called a " non-physical" clubhouse incident before the game.
A person familiar with the situation told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that Sale was involved in a confrontation with a member of either the front office or the White Sox's staff. The person said the incident was over "something silly" that apparently mushroomed into a bigger argument.
Sale has had run-ins with the White Sox front office in the past, and sources around the team say his relationship with executive vice president Kenny Williams and some members of the front office is strained.
News of Sale's removal from the scheduled start trickled out about an hour before the scheduled 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch in Chicago. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn clarified what occurred in a statement released at about 6:45 p.m. ET.
"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," Hahn said. "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."
The White Sox clubhouse was open to reporters for only 20 minutes before it was closed for a team meeting before the game. Manager Robin Ventura did not discuss the incident later in his pregame availability.
Matt Albers was named the starting pitcher for Saturday's game, which was delayed by rain. The crowd booed when Albers was announced as the starter as the teams warmed up.
The decision to scratch Sale was one met with rampant speculation, especially considering the five-time All-Star, has been mentioned in trade rumors in recent days.
The White Sox are currently in fourth place (46-50) in the AL Central and Hahn recently told reporters he would be "open-minded" to all trade scenarios, with the exception of short-term rentals.
Hahn admitted that trading either his 27-year-old ace or Jose Quintana "may be extreme" even if the team decides to undergo a rebuild, but that did not stop from trade talk picking up in the hours before Sale's scheduled start on Saturday.
The White Sox are reportedly asking for a massive haul in return for Sale -- one source told ESPN.com that Chicago is seeking 5-7 prospects -- with the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers rumored to be among those interested.
Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season. He had 274 strikeouts in 2015, the most in the AL.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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