The Atlanta Braves got off to a sizzling start in Game 1 of the World Series, but they lost their starting pitcher to an injury in the third inning.
Charlie Morton exited with one out in the third inning after looking uncomfortable while finishing a pitch to the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve. He hadn’t allowed a run through 2 1/3 innings pitched.
Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton leaves Game 1 with an injury.
He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/lbxzJxHHBC
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 27, 2021
Morton is reportedly dealing with a swollen ankle after getting hit by a Yuli Gurriel comebacker in the bottom of the second inning.
This was the Gurriel comebacker that got Morton's shin in the second inning. My guess is he had to exit because the area swelled over the past inning. pic.twitter.com/NuV4Zm50Yh
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 27, 2021
Morton was injured on the comebacker that went off his right ankle, per Braves source. The ankle swelled up on him, and it was too painful for him to continue.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 27, 2021
Morton — who turns 38 on Nov. 12 — has been Atlanta’s most productive pitcher this season, with a 3.34 ERA over 185 2/3 regular-season innings pitched (and six earned runs allowed in 16 2/3 postseason innings).
A.J. Minter replaced Morton and got two outs without allowing a run to finish the third inning.
But this forces the Atlanta bullpen to have to throw 6 2/3 innings to get through nine (and more of course if it were to go into extras), and the bullpen will be pretty depleted for Game 2. It also gives the Astros a better chance to make a five-run comeback than they would’ve had with the way Morton was throwing.
UPDATE: Well, the official diagnosis is very bad news for Morton and the Braves. Atlanta announced that x-rays revealed that Morton suffered a right fibula fracture that will keep him out of the remainder of the World Series. He’s expected to be ready for Spring Training.
RHP Charlie Morton underwent X-rays tonight that revealed a right fibula fracture. He will miss the remainder of the World Series and is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2022.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 27, 2021
That means Charlie Morton recorded three outs — including two strikeouts! — on a broken leg tonight.
— Emma Baccellieri (@emmabaccellieri) October 27, 2021
This is a brutal loss for the Braves, and it’s going to put a lot of pressure on their pitching staff to get through the rest of this series.
