Braves replace injured Charlie Morton with Tucker Davidson for Series

Associated Press
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 5:22 p.m. | Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 5:22 p.m.

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton rubs his leg before leaving the game Tuesday during the third inning of Game 1 in baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.

AP

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton is helped off the field by Braves head athletic trainer George Poulis during the third inning of Game 1 in baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.

AP

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tucker Davidson works against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a game in Atlanta.

HOUSTON — Left-hander Tucker Davidson has replaced injured pitcher Charlie Morton on the Atlanta Braves’ World Series roster.

Major League Baseball announced the move before Game 2 between the Braves and Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

Morton came out of the Braves’ opening 6-2 win in the third inning, an inning after he was struck on the lower right leg by Yuli Gurriel’s 102 mph comebacker. The Braves said during the game that Morton broke his right fibula and will be sidelined until spring training.

Charlie Morton did all of this on a broken leg pic.twitter.com/ONuE8boYIf

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 27, 2021

The 25-year-old Davidson had a 3.60 ERA in four big league starts this season, all in May and June, after making his debut in the majors in 2020. He was 2-2 with a 1.17 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Gwinnett, making his last appearance on Oct. 3. He missed much of the season with left forearm inflammation.

Davidson has not appeared in any big league postseason games.

Charlie Morton broke his leg in the 2nd inning.

Stayed in the game.

He then struck out Chaz McCormick. Got Martin Maldonado to fly out. And struck out Jose Altuve the next inning.

He then exited the game.

Morton was throwing 96-mph on a broken leg at 37 years old. pic.twitter.com/EXwYuwQIbH

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 27, 2021

The Braves will rely heavily on their bullpen in Game 4 and, if necessary, Game 5. A healthy Davidson gives them another multi-inning option. They also have Jesse Chavez, Drew Smyly and Kyle Wright to cover bulk innings.

Luke Jackson said Charlie Morton is seeing the ankle specialist today in Green Bay. Same doctor, Robert Anderson, who did Mike Soroka’s Achilles surgeries and previously worked on Chipper Jones, Steph Curry, Cam Newton and others.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 27, 2021