After being designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers, pitcher Charlie Morton is returning to the Atlanta Braves.
Morton, 41, is signing with the Braves, the team announced on Monday. Manager Brian Snitker announced the move to reporters, but added that he’s not certain if Morton will pitch for the team during their remaining six games.
The 73-83 Braves will finish the season with three-game series versus the last-place Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates, both at home.
Morton was acquired by the Tigers at the MLB trade deadline, but didn’t provide the boost or veteran stability that Detroit was seeking. He compiled a 7.09 ERA in nine starts, allowing 31 runs and 40 hits in 39 1/3 innings. However, he also struck out 47 batters, which would appear to indicate that he can still get major-league hitters out. But perhaps not often enough.
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The Tigers face missing the postseason entirely after a second-half collapse (26-33) during which their 15.5-game lead in the AL Central has been reduced to one game over the Cleveland Guardians. Morton joins the Braves after they swept three games from the Tigers at Comerica Park over the weekend.
Previously, the right-hander pitched four seasons for Atlanta, signing with them as a free agent. He put together a 4.09 ERA and 49-42 record while striking out 9.7 batters per nine innings. Following the 2024 seasons, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles in free agency. In 23 appearances (seven starts), he registered a 5.42 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings before being traded to the Tigers.
Altogether, Morton has played 18 seasons in the major leagues, also pitching for the Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. He has a career 4.13 ERA, 147-134 record and a career strikeout rate of 8.7 per 9 innings. If he returns to Atlanta in 2026, it will likely be his final MLB season.
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