In the midst of playing their worst baseball of the regular season, the Detroit Tigers shook up their starting rotation, designating starting pitcher Charlie Morton for assignment on Sunday.
The decision to part ways with Morton was rather shocking, given that the Tigers are fighting for their playoff lives, and they acquired him ahead of the trade deadline. However, after getting lit up for six earned runs in 1.1 innings by the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, Detroit manager A.J. Hinch had to cut ties.
That said, it didn’t take long for Morton to find his next opportunity, as he’s re-joining the Braves for his third stint. According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters on Monday about the veteran’s return, and he'll be in Atlanta on Tuesday. O’Brien adds that Snitker said he didn’t know if or when Morton would start a game this week.
Former Tigers Starter Charlie Morton Rejoins Atlanta Braves for 3rd Stint
Coincidentally, when it was announced that Detroit was cutting ties with the 41-year-old Morton, Braves fans were speculating about the possibility of him returning to Atlanta.
Given his age and how this season has gone for Morton, it would not be surprising to see him hang up his glove. And there’s no better place to do that than Atlanta, where the veteran hurler won a World Series in 2021 and began his career in 2008.
As for his Tigers’ tenure, things started well for the right-handed pitcher. In his Detroit debut, the 41-year-old allowed four hits, one earned run, a walk, and recorded six strikeouts in six innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
And for the rest of August, Morton went 2-2 with an ERA of 4.61, which was better than what he did in the first part of the season with the Baltimore Orioles (7-8, 5.42 ERA in 23 appearances).
However, the veteran pitcher was beginning to get hit around this month and completely fell off, which is not what the Tigers had in mind when they traded for Morton.
In four starts, Morton posted a 12.75 ERA, as opponents were slugging .340 at the plate and had an OPS of 1.152. Simply put, the veteran hurler wasn’t missing many bats, and offenses were making him pay for it.
While things did not work out in the Motor City, the wily veteran will potentially get to make one more start this season with the team that gave him a chance to have this illustrious career.