Morton To Start Braves Finale, Likely Farewell

Charlie Morton will start Sunday's season finale for the Atlanta Braves against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a likely short, ceremonial outing and the final start of his 18-year MLB career, with left-hander Chris Sale expected to follow in relief. Morton re-signed with Atlanta this week after being designated for assignment and released by the Detroit Tigers, returning to the team that drafted him and where he won a World Series in 2021. Despite a difficult 2025 season (a 5.89 ERA in 32 games, including a 7.09 ERA in Detroit), Morton finishes a career that includes a 147-134 record, a 4.13 ERA, 2,195 strikeouts and two World Series rings (2017, 2021). To activate Morton the Braves designated right-handers Connor Seabold and Carson Ragsdale for assignment and claimed Joel Payamps off waivers. The move has been framed as a sentimental, clubhouse-boosting reunion and provides a full-circle finish against Pittsburgh, where Morton spent seven seasons early in his career.