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Houston Astros: Charlie Morton extremely close to a return

By Brian K. Patterson

Apr 22, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) looks on from the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) looks on from the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros woes in regard to the injuries to their starting rotation are close to being eradicated.

Yes the guys that have been on the shelf for the Houston Astros are getting ever so closer a return.  Dallas Keuchel should be back after the All-Star break, Collin McHugh could be right behind him and we’ve heard some great news that Charlie Morton is now the closest to a return back to the mound.

According to Christian Boutwell of MLB.com, Morton has been completing his rehab with Triple-A Fresno and has competed two starts, with the most recent being yesterday where he threw 47 pitches in four innings pitched in shutout ball.  He also ended up throwing 15 pitches in the bullpen to close out his night.  The Grizzlies ended up blanking the Albuquerque Isotopes 8-0.

Morton is back in Houston and the club is making a final determination in regard to if he’ll need a third rehab start or if they can throw him right back into the rotation.  Lance McCullers Jr. is scheduled to pitch tonight and Francis Martes will go tomorrow but Sunday’s pitcher is still to be determined.  It’s quite possible that Morton will be able to take that spot or if they don’t think he’s ready, they’ll send him back out to the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks — since Fresno is currently on the road — for one more rehab start.

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Morton says he feels fine and that there’s no pain but the franchise wants to ensure that he’s ready to take the mound and not try to rush him back too soon.  I thought I’d never say this but I’m thrilled to have Morton back because although he had his struggles, he’s a proven vet with a steady hand and is talented enough to go long and not lose games.  He does have a nice repertoire of pitches to deceive the batters that he faced.

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I’m positive the Houston Astros will make the correct decision on Morton but he definitely needs to return sooner than later as this bullpen is quite taxed at the moment.  The patchwork of stitching bullpen guys together to finish games has worked for the most part but we need to get our guys back out there like Morton.

So hopefully it will be this Sunday or sometime next week when he returns to the mound.  Morton has posted a 5-3 record with a 4.05 ERA and 65 strikeouts through 10 starts in 2017.

Go Astros.

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