FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chris Sale, who recently earned his first Cy Young Award, kicked off spring training on a high note for the Atlanta Braves by delivering two flawless innings during a game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

In a match that ended 3-1 in favor of the Twins, Sale managed to retire all six hitters he faced, although he did not register any strikeouts. At 35 years of age, Sale is gearing up for his second season with the Braves after an impressive performance last year.

During the previous season, Sale recorded a remarkable 18 wins against just 3 losses, posting a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts. His outstanding performance earned him the National League’s pitching Triple Crown and the coveted Cy Young Award. Notably, this was his healthiest season in several years, seeing him make 29 starts, the highest number since 2017.

On Saturday, he threw a total of 21 pitches, with 14 of them landing as strikes, showcasing his control and readiness for the upcoming season.