Braves cut Chris Sale from roster for wild-card series against Padres

It was announced Tuesday that left-hander Chris Sale is not on the Atlanta Braves’ roster for their National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres.

Right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who was on Atlanta’s roster for the best-of-three series along with Bryce Elder, was selected as the starter for Game 1 on Tuesday in San Diego (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Sale, a contender for the NL Cy Young Award, was ruled out for Game 2 of Atlanta’s doubleheader against the New York Mets on Monday because of back spasms as the Braves needed a win to advance to the playoffs.

The Braves said Monday that Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) would be unavailable, at least in the Division Series. He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 19, when his velocity faded in the second half of a start in Cincinnati; His speed dropped to an average of 92.7 mph from 95.9 in his previous start.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sale has dealt with back problems regularly throughout the season.

Smith-Shawver made just one start in the majors this season, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings before suffering an oblique injury on May 23 against the Chicago Cubs. He made 21 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season, posting a 3-8 record, a 4.85 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 89 innings.

In addition to Sale, starting pitchers Spencer thresholds and Grant Holmes were also removed from the Braves’ roster after they pitched against the Mets on Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.