Braves: 3 roster moves keeping Atlanta from World Series contention

3. Move Charlie Morton to the bullpen when Mike Soroka is activated

Mike Soroka has not appeared in an MLB game in over two years due to injuries but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. He’s currently on a minor league rehab assignment so he could be returning to MLB action soon.

Since he hasn’t had a chance to build up his stamina, he might not be put in the rotation … but that would be a mistake because their current rotation has had its issues too. Ian Anderson has struggled so he is in Triple-A. Max Fried has a concussion (but should return in the next week). Still, they have overcome it … thus far.

Charlie Morton has been either great or awful with no in-between recently. In his last five starts, he has had two starts without allowing a run in 6.0 and 6.2 innings. The other three starts? Five, four, and five earned runs allowed in five, five, and six innings.

Even if Soroka cannot go six or seven innings, it may be best for him to start and then have Morton take over in the middle innings. Morton is a rare pitcher in that he has been worst in facing batters the second time in a lineup, rather than the third (when a pitcher is tiring).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/16/2022.

Having him face batters for the first time in the middle innings might be best and then he could give way to the bullpen in the last few innings may be best for him and the club in the playoffs.