Right-hander Charlie Morton made his first exhibition start for the Braves, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings in the team’s 5-4 win Sunday over the Red Sox. Morton struck out three and walked one.
“I was just trying to get a feel for my pitches, get my pitch count up,” Morton said. “I’m conditioning my body, arm, got a chance to work with (catcher Travis d’Arnaud), which was nice. So it was just going out there and facing guys in a different uniform. It was really nice to see the fans out there too today. All in all, a pretty good day.”
Morton usually begins his spring with a one-or-two-inning outing, but working three Sunday let him build up his pitch count. He’d previously pitched a simulated game.
The 37-year-old is by far the eldest member of the rotation. Morton, whom the Braves signed to a one-year, $15 million deal over the winter, has enjoyed his time getting to know his new teammates and believes stronger bonds will build over time.
“The primary goal for me is to be a good teammate and get to know people on a personal level,” Morton said. “That takes time. That takes trust. That’s not something that’s going to fully develop until each of those guys in there and I have some kind of openness, trust and comfort. That’s going to take time. There are no shortcuts for that. I’m trying to be as transparent as possible, as open as possible.
“Within the first couple days, we were having small get-togethers in the clubhouse, just talking baseball, which is great. It gives you an opportunity to get to know the guys you’ll be spending every day with. I just want to be somebody people look forward to seeing and having in the clubhouse.”
That type of insight is part of why Morton was so appealing to the Braves. He was an ideal fit on and off the field. And if Morton helps stabilize the rotation and mentor younger players, the Braves will have gotten their money’s worth.
Credit: Atlanta Braves
Notes from Sunday:
- The Braves played a handful of their regulars against the Red Sox. Shortstop Dansby Swanson laced a two-run double in the first inning. Outfielder Cristian Pache hit an opposite-field triple that scored a run in the following frame. First baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Marcell Ozuna each had a hit.
“He’s been (going the other way) all spring, that’s the good thing,” manager Brian Snitker said of Pache, who’s expected to be the team’s starting center fielder. “Where that pitch was, how he drove it over there ... That’s really good. Like I said before, I thought in batting practice that Pache cleaned things up. He looks pretty good.”
- Right-hander Huascar Ynoa followed Morton, retiring the first six Red Sox he faced. He hit a bump in the sixth inning, allowing three hits and throwing a wild pitch. He recorded one out and was charged three runs. But the earlier portion of the outing showcased Ynoa’s best, and why the Braves believe he’ll be a valuable contributor.
- Lefty Grant Dayton, who’s competing for a bullpen spot, hasn’t pitched in a game this spring. Dayton had the flu, according to Snitker, and was set back. He threw a live batting practice several days ago and is scheduled to pitch Tuesday.
- The Braves are off Monday — one of their two free days during the exhibition schedule — and resume play Tuesday against the Pirates.
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