Charlie Morton signs with Braves, set to retire with team

Morton signed a Major League deal with the Braves on Monday, one day after being released by the Tigers. Exactly when and how he will be used during this final week of the regular season will be determined after he arrives in Atlanta on Tuesday and has a conversation with Braves manager Brian Snitker.

“We just got him back, so I donâ€t know what the plan will be,†Snitker said. “I talked to him on Saturday afternoon before batting practice and this wasnâ€t even on the radar.â€

Snitkerâ€s love for Morton was witnessed yet again when he gave the pitcher a big hug a couple of hours before the Braves and Tigers played Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park. A little more than 12 hours earlier, the Braves had tagged Morton for six earned runs over 1 1/3 innings in a 10-1 win over Detroit.

Instead of that ugly outing serving as the finale of an 18-season career that began with the 2008 Braves, Morton can now construct a more pleasurable end. Thereâ€s a chance he could be used in relief, or just pitch an inning or two as a starter.

Morton could truly feel sentimental if the Braves choose to use him during this weekendâ€s three-game series against the Pirates. He spent seven seasons with Pittsburgh after being included in the trade that brought Nate McLouth to Atlanta in 2009.

Snitker said he didnâ€t hear anything about the possibility of reuniting with Morton until Monday morning.

Morton posted a 5.89 ERA over 32 combined appearances (26 starts) for the Orioles and Tigers this year. He was far from the consistent contributor he had been while producing a 3.87 ERA over 124 starts for Atlanta from 2021-24.

When Morton spent those past few years with Atlanta, he spoke glowingly of the organization. He was taken in the third round of the 2002 MLB Draft. It didnâ€t look like he would have a long career when the Braves kept him at the Class-A level for two years and later moved him to a relief role with the 2007 Mississippi Braves. But he made his MLB debut in 2008 and continued to benefit from a resilient spirit.

Morton, McCann and Francoeur all experienced Spring Training for the first time in 2003, at the Braves†former complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Morton didnâ€t even start tasting consistent success until after Francoeur ended his 12-year big league career in 2016.

Atlanta fans will forever remember Morton for recording three outs after his right leg was fractured by a line drive in the second inning of Game 1 of the 2021 World Series.

Now, they will have one last chance to show their appreciation.

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