Orioles sign 41-year-old right-handed starter Charlie Morton to 1-year contract

The Orioles signed right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton to a one-year contract on Friday. According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the 41-year-old’s contract is for $15 million.

Morton, who has played 17 seasons in the majors, was 8-10 with a 4.19 ERA in 30 starts for the Atlanta Braves last season. He made his debut with the Braves in 2008, played seven seasons with Pittsburgh, two with Houston, and two with Tampa Bay before returning to Atlanta for the last four seasons.

His lifetime record is 138-123 with a 4.01 ERA. Morton was an All-Star with the Astros in 2018 and the Rays in 2019. He has allowed just 203 home runs in 2,125 2/3 innings, less than one per nine innings.

Morton will join a starting staff that includes Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, Albert Suárez and Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed last month. Suárez and Sugano are 35.

Morton, who lives in Bradenton, Florida, was looking for a team that trained near his home, and he’ll have an easy commute.

To make room for Morton on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher René Pinto for assignment.

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