Morton struck out two over two perfect innings of relief in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.
After slotting into the rotation Wednesday and dropping to 0-7 on the season while giving up three runs over four innings in a loss to the Twins, Morton shifted back to the bullpen this weekend and was tasked with mopping up in Saturday's loss. With the Orioles bringing Zach Eflin (lat) back from the injured list to start Sunday's series finale in Anaheim, Morton isn't expected to be needed in the rotation anytime soon.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Falls to 0-7
Rotowire
Morton (0-7) took the loss against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over four innings.
After being demoted to a bulk-relief and then a bullpen role in late April, Morton was given another chance to start Wednesday since the Twins needed to fill a rotation spot. The veteran righty actually fared slightly better than he had in his previous five starts -- the three runs were the fewest he's given up in a starting appearance so far this season, and he walked just one batter -- but that's not saying much since he lasted only four frames and took his MLB-worst seventh loss. Given Morton's 9.38 ERA through 31.2 innings on the campaign, there's ample reason to believe that Father Time may have finally caught up to the 41-year-old. With starter Zach Eflin (lat) slated to be activated from the injured list this weekend, it's likely that Morton will head back to the bullpen.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Making start Wednesday
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Morton will start Wednesday's game against the Twins in Minnesota, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Morton was demoted to the bullpen last week after getting roughed up over his first five starts and two bulk-relief appearances of the season, but the Orioles never called up a pitcher from the minors to replace him in the rotation. With the Orioles needing to add a fifth starter back to the mix Wednesday, Morton will get the nod, but he's expected to shift back to a relief role immediately after the game. Zach Eflin (lat) appears on track to return from the injured list by the time the Orioles would next require a fifth starter May 17.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Shifting to bullpen
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Morton will work out of the bullpen moving forward, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
In lieu of re-signing Corbin Burnes or bringing aboard another frontline starter via trade or free agency this offseason, the Orioles brought Morton aboard on a one-year, $15 million deal with the hope that he would serve as a stable contributor in the middle of the rotation. That gambit has backfired, as Father Time appears to have finally caught up with Morton in his age-41 season. The Orioles deployed Morton in bulk relief in his last two appearances with the hope that the arrangement would yield better results, but the right-hander gave up four earned runs on six hits and six walks over six innings between those outings and now owns a 9.45 ERA and 2.17 WHIP for the season. Hyde hasn't closed the door on Morton starting again at some point down the road, but the veteran may need to turn in a few quality low-leverage appearances out of the bullpen before the Orioles insert him back into the rotation.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Trounced again in loss
Rotowire
Morton (0-5) took the loss Sunday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on seven hits and four walks over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.
The 41-year-old right-hander did not have it again in this 68-pitch outing, getting just seven outs -- his shortest start of the season. Morton has now allowed four or more runs in each of his first five starts. His production has been downright unsightly, as he's posted a 10.89 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Given how badly Morton has struggled, the Orioles may be contemplating removing him from the rotation. If he makes it, Morton's next start is currently slated to be at Detroit next weekend.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Hit around for five runs
Rotowire
Morton (0-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings in a loss to the Guardians on Tuesday.
Morton's struggles continued, as he's now given up four-plus earned runs in six straight starts (dating back to the end of last season) for the first time in his 18-year career. Walks in the third contributed to the Guardians' first run of the game and they poured on three more in the fifth, including a two-run homer from Steven Kwan. Morton will continue to stick in the rotation while the Orioles' top two starters are on the shelf. He lines up to face the Reds in Baltimore on Sunday.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Can't find plate in loss
Rotowire
Morton (0-3) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over five-plus innings as the Orioles fell 4-3 to the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.
The 41-year-old righty got only 51 of his 87 pitches into the strike zone as his rough start to the campaign continues. Morton has struck out 17 batters in his first 13.1 innings with Baltimore, but he's also walked eight, leading to an 8.78 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. Given the team's injury issues in the rotation, the O's have little choice but to let Morton try to work through his issues. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound at home early next week against the Guardians.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Hit hard early
Rotowire
Morton (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out ten.
Morton had the strikeout pitch working Thursday, recording double-digit punchouts for the first time since 2023. However, the veteran right-hander fell victim to the home-run ball early, giving up a pair of two-run homers to Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell in each of the first two innings. Morton has now given up nine runs through his first two starts (8.1 innings) with Baltimore. He'll look to get in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Arizona.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Takes loss in team debut
Rotowire
Morton (0-1) gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.1 innings Friday in a loss to the Blue Jays. He had three strikeouts.
The 41-year-old Morton became the oldest starting pitcher to open a game for the Orioles, but aside from that little bit of history, this was one to forget for Morton. He needed 23 pitches to get through the first inning while allowing two hits in the frame and was at 41 pitches after two innings. He was chased out of the game in the fourth inning after surrendering base hits to the first three batters he faced followed by a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Morton departed after 80 pitches, and reliever Albert Suarez allowed two of Morton's inherited runners to score, ultimately saddling him with the loss. Baltimore will look to Morton to eat up innings in 2025, and the right-hander has been durable, averaging 174 innings pitched over the last six full regular seasons. He is tentatively lined up for a home start against Boston next week.
Orioles' Charlie Morton: Fans four in third spring start
Rotowire
Morton threw three scoreless innings against the Rays in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, striking out four batters.
Morton struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting down Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Curtis Mead in order on 14 pitches. He got through the next two innings on 13 total pitches. Morton's fastball was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph, and the 41-year-old has yet to allow a run through six innings of work this spring. With Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) already ruled out for Opening Day, the offseason signing of Morton is even more significant.
Morton (illness) is scheduled to start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The 41-year-old missed some workouts at the start of camp due to an illness, but he'll still make his spring debut for the Orioles within the first few games of camp. Morton joined Baltimore on a one-year, $15 million contract in early January and will be a key rotation piece after posting a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 167:65 K:BB across 165.1 innings with Atlanta last year.
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Orioles' Charlie Morton: Falls ill Thursday
Rotowire
Morton wasn't present for Thursday's full-squad workout due to an illness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Provided the ailment isn't anything too severe, Morton should resume working out with the Orioles within the next few days. After signing a one-year, $15 million deal with Baltimore over the winter, Morton is expected to open his age-41 season as the Orioles' No. 3 starter behind Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin.
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