ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Charlie Morton has left Sunday afternoon's game with a shoulder injury.
The 36-year-old right-hander left the game at the top of the third inning against the New York Yankees. After walking Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks, Rays manager Kevin Cash and the team's trainer Joe Benge came out to to the pitcher's mound check-in on Morton. After a brief exchange, the Rays ace was pulled from the game and Tampa Bay brought in Trevor Richards to finish the inning.
The team later revealed Morton suffered a right shoulder inflammation.
For Tampa Bay, losing Morton for any stretch of time may be a massive blow for the Rays pitching staff. Morton was Tampa Bay's opening day starter in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after a very successful 2019 campaign. Morton was named an American League all-star for the second straight year after posting a 16-6 record and an ERA of 3.05 in 2019. He finished third in the AL Cy Young votes that season.
So far this season, Morton's 2020 win-loss record stands at 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts.
