HOUSTON — Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton is out for the rest of the World Series after he left Game 1 with a broken leg.
Braves officials confirmed that Morton suffered a fractured right fibula injury. Morton, who recently signed an extension, is expected to return in time for the 2022 season.
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Morton was hit on the leg by Yuli Gurriel’s ground ball in the second inning. He stayed in the game and still threw 16 pitches for three more outs on a broken leg, including a strikeout against Jose Altuve.
But the injury began to swell and A.J. Minter entered the game to replace Morton. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Morton tried his best to stay in the game.
“He wanted to keep going because he was down in the tunnel and he was throwing against the wall, and he said it kind of hurts more when I run. I feel good when I throw. Then obviously, it didn’t,” Snitker said.
“That’s Charlie. He wants to be on this stage. God bless him, I hate it for him. Really hate it for him. He’s such a great person, great person and teammate.”
Astros manager Dusty Baker:
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 27, 2021
Heard about the broken leg to Charlie Morton.. you don’t wish that on anyone. He’s one of the nicest guys and I wish him well. pic.twitter.com/ScBaOklw61
Morton threw 44 pitches over 2.2 innings pitched, allowed one hit with two walks and struck out three batters.
The Braves were counting on the experience of Morton, 37, on baseball’s biggest stage. Tuesday’s Game 1 was his third start in the World Series over the past five years and his 16th overall start in the postseason.
He pitched the final four innings and recorded the win for the Astros when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series.
“It’s tough losing Charlie. The person he is in the clubhouse, the mentor he is in the clubhouse, especially this time of the year, is very valuable,” catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “For us to lose him in Game 1, it’s a dagger, but he’s still going to be there with us, cheering us on, and still trying to teach us everything that he’s learned along his path and his career.”
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