After the 2020 season, everyone was surprised to see the Tampa Bay Rays not retaining the services of two pitchers: Blake Snell and Charlie Morton.
The first had a fairly difficult 2021 season under the hot California sun, while the second tasted great honors in the uniform of the Atlanta Braves.
Injured in Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros, the 38-year-old veteran could have made a bigger difference in that winning run had it not been for that bad luck.
Morton pitched just over two innings before having to give way after being hit by a darting ball from Yuli Gurriel’s stick. Victim of a broken tibia, the tall right-hander still showed great dedication by continuing despite the pain.
NL East Notes: Morton, Braves, Allan, Nationals https://t.co/Iw9OhKDogv pic.twitter.com/jJnsWUhpnO
— MLB Trade Rumors (@MLBtraderumors) February 19, 2022
Casually, this perseverance did not go unnoticed by his teammates and most certainly served as motivation for the balance of the series.
With the stage of recovery behind him, Morton can’t test his leg properly, he who was aiming for training camp to get there.
Let’s say the lockout don’t help him.
In health, Morton will be a reassuring element within the rotation of the Braves, which will allow his manager to focus on other aspects of the gameespecially over the uncertainty surrounding the future of first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Note that a shorter training camp could benefit the Braves, who have not suffered major losses since the last withdrawal of the 2021 season.
As for him, Morton is a veteran who will undertake a fifteenth season in the Majors and mental preparation is less demanding after so many years. A shortened camp should not become an issue in his case.
The team spirit and positive energy that results from winning the World Series can last over time and span two seasons.
