White Sox scratch ace Chris Sale from scheduled Saturday start

— -- The White Sox scratched ace Chris Sale from Saturday night's start against the Tigers due to what the team called a "clubhouse incident" before the game. 

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."

Sale, a 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.  

Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season. He had 274 strikeouts in 2015, the most in the AL.