The Atlanta Braves removed right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton from their World Series roster on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after he suffered a fractured fibula during his Game 1 start. Major League Baseball approved lefty Tucker Davidson as an injury replacement, the league announced.
Morton, who will turn 38 years old in November, was struck in the leg by a Yuli Gurriel early in Game 1. Though he continued to pitch at first, the pain later became too much for him to handle. It was then that the Braves discovered the fracture.
CBS Sports profiled seven pitchers as a potential option to replace Morton and Davidson was not among them. The 25-year-old lefty was shut down with a forearm injury in June, though he returned in time to make a three-inning start with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate on the final day of the minor league season.
Davidson made four starts with the Braves this year, pitching to a 3.60 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20 innings. In four Triple-A starts, he allowed three runs with 28 strikeouts in 23 innings. MLB.com ranks Davidson the No. 7 prospect in Atlanta's system. Here's a snippet of their scouting report:
Davidson entered the 2020 season with a three-pitch mix, starting with a fastball that can touch 97 mph consistently, velocity he can maintain throughout his starts, missing bats up in the zone, but also sinking it down to get weak contact on the ground ... He added a distinct slider during his time at the alternate training site, a pitch that flashes above-average and now gives him four weapons in his arsenal.
Davidson joins Drew Smyly and Kyle Wright as candidates to provide length out of the bullpen. The Braves were already planning a bullpen game in Game 4, and now will need one in Game 5 as well, assuming the game is necessary.
Morton is expected to be ready for next spring training. During the regular season, he started 33 times and amassed a 3.34 ERA (132 ERA+) and a 3.72 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Braves signed him to an extension in September that will pay him $20 million next year. That deal includes a club option for the 2023 season.
The Braves will attempt to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday night. Atlanta will start lefty Max Fried while the Houston Astros give the nod to right-hander José Urquidy.
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