Morton plays catch; Chirinos back Sunday
Right-hander Charlie Morton, who was placed on the 10-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation, played catch on Friday afternoon without any problems. He threw 150 feet, according to manager Kevin Cash. Morton will probably have a bullpen session Saturday or Sunday.
Cash is not sure when Morton will pitch in a game. As the skipper put it, Morton has a few hurdles to cross before he plays a Major League game.
Morton hurt his shoulder last Sunday against the Yankees. In the third inning, Morton looked to be in discomfort after walking Aaron Hicks. It prompted Cash and athletic trainer Joe Benge to run out to the mound to check on the right-hander. After a brief discussion, Morton handed the ball over to Cash and walked off the mound. Trevor Richards replaced him, pitching four innings.
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Morton had been the ace of the staff before the injury. Last year, he won 16 games and finished third in the American League Cy Young award voting. Through four starts this year, Morton has allowed 10 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings.
Chirinos ready to pitch Sunday
Right-hander Yonny Chirinos is expected to be taken off the 10-day injured list and pitch against the Blue Jays on Sunday. He had missed more than a week because of right triceps inflammation. However, Chirinos had a bullpen session Thursday and said he is ready to go.
Cash is not sure how many innings Chirinos will pitch, “but we are happy that he is feeling better. That’s the direction we are going to go.”
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The Rays are hoping that Chirinos can go as long as he can because the bullpen has been overworked lately.
Worth noting
The Rays have added infielder Xavier Edwards to their 60-man player pool. He reported to the alternate training site in Port Charlotte, Fla., on Friday morning.