Sept. 2: The Rays have reinstated Morton from the injured list and optioned first baseman/outfielder Brian O’Grady to their alternate training site, per a team announcement.
Aug. 31: The Rays are planning to activate Charlie Morton from the injured list to start Wednesday’s game against the Yankees, manager Kevin Cash announced to reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com). The right-hander has been out since August 10 with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
Morton’s two-year, $30MM contract comes with a 2021 club option that could pay him up to $15MM. Initially, the option price was set to decrease if Morton spent more than thirty days on the injured list between 2019-20. The veteran avoided the IL last season. In 2020, vesting options have been prorated due to the shortened season.
However, Morton’s deal has been reworked to remain at the $15MM price point so long as he spends no more than 23 days on the injured list, MLBTR has learned. Wednesday’s activation, not coincidentally, comes 23 days since Morton’s initial injured list placement. Thus, the option continues to be valued at $15MM, so long as he avoids future IL stints. Of course, the option price is only relevant if the 36-year-old wants to play next season, and he’s been noncommital on that question in the past.
Morton was fantastic in his first year in Tampa, pitching to a 3.05 ERA/2.81 FIP in 194.2 innings, garnering some Cy Young support in the process. His first four starts this season haven’t been as impressive, but he’s a big key to the 24-11 Rays’ hopes of postseason success.
finally #dubszn
…The Rock has come back to Tampa!
I’m beginning to hate Choi very much. Yankees killer like Longoria used to be.
@mlbnyyfan- we had Choi a few years ago and I think we released him or traded him. Nobody knew how good he really was. Tampa struck gold with this kid.
Yes I remember him with Yankees. I would still rather have Voit.
Ji Man has Cole’s number. Made him look silly tonight
Uncle Charlie will be welcomed back with joy. Hopefully he can throw 2/3/4 clean innings, then hand it off to the pen. We need him healthy if we’re going to play meaningful games in October.
GO RAYS!!!
Yessssssss, he’s back tonight!!!
Glad to see CM Tampa back. Almost said CM Pepsi *cough* I mean CM Punk.
Much needed for them. They are legit. I see them making the WS but coming up short against the Dodgers. My not so bold prediction. I would say come up short to the Braves, but we didn’t fix our rotation… so… yea
Now the question is: will Morton risk suspension throwing at some Yankee’s head, in retaliation for Chapman/Brousseau. last night. Or does Cash wait until one of “his guys who throws 98mph” comes in?
I understand Cash’s ire; Chapman should be suspended for a week. And all this against a minimum wage undrafted free agent guy who should be an inspirational story.
The Rays won’t attempt to end a career by throwing at a guy’s brain. That’s a yankee thing. In on a wrist sure, the Rays would probably take a yankee injury there. But nothing further comes of it unless the yanks continue to head hunt is my guess. Yankees know Manfred will resist suspending any yankee.
This is wrong on so many levels. Do your research before you make assumptions like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=natkTw2vhQw
I’ll say this, the monuments in center should have a tear in their eyes based on this classless display.
I watched your video and you can go tit for tat, all day… but Chapman, Tanaka, Boone, and Cash should all be suspended until season end to send a message that this not tolerated.
If the Yankees don’t like being thrown high and inside… like the Rays have done to every team they should either quit or stop crowding the plate.
They Yankees should be a class amongst everyone else. Not petulant bullies.
I hope the Rays take out the trash rather than sink to the level of trash.
Now we won’t see Charlie at the Steakhouse as much.
Welcome back Charlie!
Charlie’s Back. Back again. Charlie’s Back. Tell a friend.