Chris Sale Suspended for ‘Clubhouse Incident'

The star pitcher reportedly got in an argument with management over the jerseys the team was supposed to wear

The White Sox announced Sunday that pitcher Chris Sale will be suspended for five games following a 'clubhouse incident' prior to Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

Sale will be suspended for five days, according to the team. 

"Chris has been suspended for violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment," White Sox senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "While we all appreciate Chris’ talent and passion, there is a correct way and an incorrect way to express concerns about team rules and organizational expectations."

The team announced less than an hour before the game was scheduled to start that Sale was scratched.

“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 in the statement. 

"The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club."

According to multiple reports, the incident was a disagreement, not between Sale and one of his teammates, but rather between the star pitcher and a member of team management.

The argument reportedly began over the jerseys the team was supposed to wear Saturday, according to several reports. 

"Chris Sale incident stemmed at least in part from his protest to use of throwback jerseys, sources confirm," Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweeted.

"Sale asked that they not wear (throwbacks) on his day because they are uncomfortable. Things escalated when they wouldn't relent," Ken Rosenthal added.

The team was scheduled to wear the 1976 throwback edition jerseys, a blue shirt with a collar, according to a release from the White Sox to preview Saturday's game. Sale reportedly cut up his own and possibly other team members' jerseys during the argument, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Sox players could be seen during Saturday's broadcast of the game wearing the 1983 throwback jerseys they were scheduled to wear Sunday. 

The argument may have stemmed from Sale's frustrations over rumors and discussions that he may be traded, a source told NBC Chicago, with much of the anger directed at the team's handling of the trade speculation involving him. 

This wouldn't be the first time that Sale has had a conflict with a member of management this year. During spring training when Adam LaRoche abruptly retired due to the team's insistence that he stop bringing his son into the clubhouse, Sale reportedly got into a heated argument with team president Kenny Williams.

Sale was scheduled to start Saturday, has a 14-3 record this season, and was the starting pitcher for the American League club during the MLB All-Star Game earlier this month.

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