WASHINGTON — Atlanta’s injury-plagued rotation took another blow Sunday, when the Braves placed Charlie Morton on the 15-day injured list.
The move means the 39-year-old right-hander won’t be eligible to pitch in the National League Division Series.
Morton (14-12, 3.64 ERA) left his start Friday night against the Washington Nationals after only one inning with pain in his right index finger. An MRI showed it was a sprain, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday.
Morton won’t be eligible to come off the IL until Oct. 7, which is after the Braves will have set their roster for the best-of-five NLDS. Atlanta clinched its sixth straight NL East Division title two weeks ago and entered Sunday with a 99-55 record, the best in Major League Baseball this season. With a week remaining in the regular season, the Braves have already earned a bye in the postseason’s best-of-three opening round.
The only way Morton could be activated for the NLDS would be as a replacement for player who is injured in the NLDS.