Phillies Acquire Morton from Pirates

The Phillies acquired right-hander Charlie Morton from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league right-hander David Whitehead, Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak announced today. Morton's current contract runs through the 2016 season.

Morton, 32, went 9-9 with a 4.81 ERA in 23 starts for the Pirates last season. He had a 3.36 ERA in 19 of his 23 starts and, overall, Pittsburgh went 14-9 (.609) when he started. Morton missed nearly the first two months of the 2015 season due to a hip injury.

Over the past seven seasons (2009-15), Morton led all Pirates pitchers in wins (41), innings pitched (801.0), starts (142) and strikeouts (563). During the 2013-14 seasons, he posted a combined 3.52 ERA in 46 starts.

Morton was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. In 158 career games (157 starts), he is 45-70 with a 4.54 ERA for the Braves (2008) and Pirates (2009-15).

Whitehead compiled a 9-11 record with a 4.44 ERA in 25 starts for single-A Clearwater last season. The 23-year-old tied for fifth in the Florida State League in wins and starts (25) and finished 10th in innings pitched (135.2). He was a 34th round selection by the Phillies in the 2013 draft.

To make room for Morton on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated right-hander A.J. Achter for assignment. Achter had been claimed off waivers by the Phillies from the Minnesota Twins on November 20.