White Sox send Sale home after ‘clubhouse incident'

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UPDATE (5:15 pm PT): The "clubhouse incident" involving Chris Sale reportedly revolved around his desire not to wear a throwback jersey during his start on Saturday.

According to Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports, Sale "cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them."

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal confirmed the report, adding that a source told him "A little larger than that but essentially true." A source also told Rosenthal that "Sale asked that they not wear (throwbacks) on his day because they are uncomfortable. Things escalated when they wouldn't relent."

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan also confirmed the original report that Sale was sent home for cutting up jerseys he didn't want to wear.

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Roughly 80 minutes before Chris Sale was to take the mound against the Tigers Saturday in Chicago, multiple reports surfaced that the White Sox's ace had been scratched from his schedule start.

The news made sense considering Sale has been mentioned in recent trade rumors.

Soon after, word came out that Sale was scratched due to an illness. But an hour later, new reports surfaced that Sale was in fact not sick and that the White Sox would issue a statement regarding the reason for scratching him.

At 3:43pm PT, the White Sox put out a rather interesting statement, leading to speculation.

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

The White Sox will have no addition comment until the investigation is complete."

The 27-year-old Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 133 innings.

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.

Right-hander Matt Albers started in Sale's place and the White Sox planned to use multiple relievers. The crowd booed when Albers was announced as the starter as the teams warmed up.

Sale had been shown as the starter on the scoreboard until about 15 minutes before the scheduled first pitch, which was delayed 10 minutes by rain.

With the White Sox fading from playoff contention, Sale's name has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams.

Sale was openly critical of team president Ken Williams during spring training when he said the son of teammate Adam LaRoche would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung LaRoche's jersey in his locker.

The 27-year-old Sale has said he'd like to stay in Chicago. He was the 13th overall pick out of Florida Gulf Coast in 2010 and has been selected as an All-Star five times. He started for the American League in this month's All-Star Game.

Sale, who is 71-43 in his career, entered the day leading the majors with 133 innings pitched and three complete games.

In his last outing Monday, Sale allowed one hit over eight shutout innings before closer David Robertson gave up four runs in the ninth in Chicago's loss to Seattle.

The White Sox, who started 23-10, had dropped eight of nine games before Saturday and sat in fourth place in the AL Central, creating speculation that Sale and fellow lefty Jose Quintana could be dealt.

Hahn said Thursday the White Sox were "mired in mediocrity" and hinted at possible big roster changes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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