Braves Resign Morton, Decline Rosario

November 7, 2023
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.

Contests & Events

If You’re Our “Next Big Fan”, You’ll Host a Podcast!

Are you the type of sports fan who knows the stats, the players and the front office deals? Do you believe you can use that knowledge to host your own podcast? Now’s your chance to make that happen! Show us you’re “The Next Big Fan” by submitting an audio or video clip of yourself “hosting…