In just 24 hours, the Boston Red Sox experienced the repercussions of their offseason trade of Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves once again. On Sunday, the Red Sox placed infielder Vaughn Grissom on the injured list for the second time this season. Then, on Monday, Chris Sale was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May, showcasing a dominant start to his age-35 season.

Boston traded their longtime ace and cash to Atlanta in exchange for Grissom in late December. The Braves signed Sale to a two-year, $38 million deal on January 4, shortly after the trade. Sale appears to be on track for his eighth All-Star appearance, his first since 2018. During his seven years in Boston, Sale made two All-Star appearances, was the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2017, and won a World Series title in 2018.

Sale’s career was temporarily derailed by various injuries, limiting his starts and innings since 2017. His recent Pitcher of the Month award is his first since July 2018. After the 2018 World Series, Sale signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension with Boston. He then struggled in 2019 with a 6-11 record and a career-worst 4.40 ERA, missed the 2020 season, and most of 2021 following Tommy John surgery. In 2022, he made only two starts due to back issues, a broken finger, and a broken wrist but showed improvement in 2023 with a 6-5 record, 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 125 strikeouts over 102 2/3 innings in 20 starts.

This season, Sale leads the National League in walks per nine innings (1.3), is third in WHIP (0.95), fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.9), and fifth in total strikeouts (82). With 2023 All-Star Spencer Strider out for the rest of the year, Sale has become a key player for the Braves, leading the team with an 8-1 record, a 3.06 ERA, and strong performances in WHIP, strikeouts, and innings pitched (67 2/3).

In contrast, Grissom has barely contributed in his 23 games with the Red Sox. The 23-year-old began the spring on the injured list due to a groin issue and has gone just 12-for-81 with no home runs and three RBI so far.