Atlanta Braves starter Charlie Morton was pulled from his start against the Washington Nationals after the first inning with right index finger discomfort. Here’s what you need to know:
- Morton threw 24 pitches in the first inning, walking two runners and striking out one. The 39-year-old right-hander is 14-12 this season with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts.
- Michael Tonkin replaced Morton on the mound to start the bottom of the second inning.
- The Braves entered Friday with the best record in baseball (98-55) and clinched their sixth straight NL East title last week.
RHP Charlie Morton was removed from tonight’s game with right index finger discomfort.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 22, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What this could mean for Braves
If Morton is scratched from his final regular season start, the Braves would presumably use one of the others who’ve been in the rotating cast of fifth starters this season, led by rookies Jared Shuster, Allan Winans and AJ Smith-Shawver. If Morton were to be placed on the 15-day IL, he could still be eligible to start where he was projected to in the division series, likely in Game 3. — O’Brien
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(Photo: Amber Searls / USA Today)
