Report: Morton To Return To Rotation Tuesday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It appears the Pirates' starting pitching rotation will welcome back a familiar face this week.
According to MLB.com's Tom Singer, Charlie Morton will rejoin the rotation on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox.
In order to make room for Morton in the rotation, Vance Worley will move to the bullpen.
This season, Morton holds a 5-12 record to go along with a 3.84 ERA. In 152 1-3 innings pitched, Morton has struck out 120 while walking 55.
Morton has been dealing with a sports hernia. He allowed five runs on seven hits in just three innings in his last start against the Nationals on Aug. 16.
On his weekly radio show, Pirates General Manager spoke about the change and why they've decided to take a look at Morton back in the rotation.
"Charlie has worked so hard and is feeling that he can contribute," Huntington said. "The ball is coming out of his hand better, he's done the two simulated games and he's thrown the ball well. His two bullpen [sessions] have gone well...We fell that given where we are, given what Charlie's done, given what Charlie can do, we wanted to take a look."
Huntington was sure to praise Worley though for what he has done this year as Morton takes his next turn in the rotation.
"Obviously Vance has done just yeoman's work for us and is part of the reason why we're sitting a game and a half up in the wildcard and three and a half games out in the division. Without Vance, we're not in that situation, so we want to pay all the respect that's due to him."
Huntington looked ahead to what this start for Morton could mean and how things may play out beyond Tuesday.
"We'll see where this takes us Tuesday," Huntington said. "If Charlie throws the ball really well, then we'll have an interesting decision to make where we go from there. If Charlie doesn't, Vance could be in relief of him that night, bridge the gap with another reliever, get Vance ready and we go from there."
Neal Huntington
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