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Yes. He has. But Sistani has given much leeway. And when Sistani put his finger down after Sadr's stunts in Al Najaf, Al Hilla, Karbala etc., in 2004, Sadre returned to Sadr city, his milita was basically muzzled. And all their armed resistance stopped. The deal then went down to sort of just ignore the charges of murder the judge signed, and Sadr just sat around and sulked. At least that is my memory of the major confrontation. For a long time we did not even hear from Sadr. Remember how some of us would bring up where is the fat boy etc.. Then zmans nutzos went into the kill shia mode. After quite a few killings and bombings of Sadr folks, if you remember Sadr went ballistic and made the public statement he would find and tear zman into tiny pieces. Then as the constitutional drafting started, Sadr obviously again became quite vocal, and through in his to cents about how the constitution was a western thing etc., and apposed it, but then as he saw he was getting no where, joined the political process, supporting Hakim etc.. The as things moved along he got deeper into the political area where he obviously is now firmly planted. But he has behaved himself, in regards to inciting riots, sicing his milita on people type of stuff. In other words, been acting somewhat responsible and appearing to be representing his folks and the shia in general via. the political process.
That is why I think Sistani put his hand down and told Sadr to be carefull as to what he does. Play the politics if required but that is it.
Perhaps I am way off base.