FILE – Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Washington. The Atlanta Braves took another blow to their injury-plagued rotation, placing right-hander Charlie Morton on the 15-day injured list Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. The move means the 14-game winner won’t be eligible to pitch in the NL Division Series.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

BY PAUL NEWBERRY November 7, 2023

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves exercised a $20 million option for pitcher Charlie Morton on Monday, bolstering a shaky rotation for the NL East champions, but they declined a $9 million option for outfielder Eddie Rosario.

The return of Morton, who went 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA, was expected even though he turns 40 on Sunday.

The Braves need starting depth after learning last month that Kyle Wright — a 21-game winner in 2022 — will miss another whole season because of a shoulder injury that kept him out most of this past year.

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