CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have suspended ace Chris Sale five days without pay for destroying collared throwback uniforms the team was scheduled to wear.
The White Sox announced the punishment Sunday after Sale was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home the previous night.
“Chris has been suspended for violating team rules, for insubordination, and for destroying team equipment,” said Rick Hahn, the White Sox general manager, in a statement. “While we all appreciate Chris’s talent and passion, there is a correct way and an incorrect way to express concerns about team rules and organizational expectations.”
The suspension comes to $250,000 of his $9.15 million salary. He was also fined about $12,700 — the cost of the destroyed jerseys — according to a person familiar with the penalty. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.
FanRag Sports first reported Sale was protesting the 1976 jerseys, which were navy and sported unusual collars on a hot and humid night.
Sale cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game and was told to leave the stadium. Matt Albers said he was informed about two hours before the game that he would start in Sale’s place.
‘‘He’s one of the best, absolutely,’’ Albers said. ‘‘But we’re here for teammates. We’re here to pick each other up in good times and bad.’’
With not enough usable 1976 jerseys available, the White Sox wore white throwback uniforms from the 1983 season. The White Sox didn’t announce Sale was scratched until less than a half-hour before the scheduled first pitch.
The White Sox marketing department touted the night as the ‘‘Throwback Game.’’ It announced the team would wear collared, blue-and-white V-neck jerseys that were sometimes worn with shorts in the 1976 season under offbeat owner Bill Veeck.
The crowd booed when Albers was announced as the starter while the teams warmed up. He pitched two innings and the White Sox used six pitchers before the game was suspended following the third rain delay of the night.
With the White Sox fading from playoff contention, Sale’s name has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams.
The lefthander, known for his competitive streak and rigorous training program, has been outspoken in the past.
Sale was openly critical of team president Ken Williams during spring training when Williams said Drake LaRoche, the son of teammate Adam LaRoche, would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. Adam LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung LaRoche’s jerseys in his locker.
The 27-year-old Sale 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 is 71-43 in his career and is tied for the major league lead in wins this season with 14.
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, have dropped eight of 11 games and are in fourth place in the AL Central, creating speculation that Sale and fellow lefty Jose Quintana could be dealt.
Sale has said he’d like to stay in Chicago. But Tigers GM Al Avila said before the game that many teams are looking for starting pitching.
‘‘Yet there are not as many good starting pitchers available,’’ Avila said. ‘‘And the guys that may come available are going to come at a steep price.’’
Hahn said Thursday the White Sox were ‘‘mired in mediocrity’’ and hinted at possible big roster changes.
‘‘You’ve just got to be professional and play baseball. That’s it,’’ Frazier said of the trade discussion. ‘‘Control what you can control, that’s playing the game.’’