Morton goes to DL with left hamstring strain

Righty will undergo MRI Monday; Garcia recalled from Triple-A

April 23rd, 2016

MILWAUKEE -- The Phillies placed Charlie Morton on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strained left hamstring.
The Phillies recalled right-hander Luis Garcia from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Morton's spot on the 25-man roster. Garcia is expected to help the bullpen through this week's three-game series against the Nationals at Nationals Park, but Triple-A left-hander Adam Morgan is expected to take Morton's spot in the rotation Friday night against the Indians at Citizens Bank Park.
Garcia allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Brewers.
"He was certainly going to miss at least the next start, if not the next two," general manager Matt Klentak said about Morton.
Morgan is 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts with Lehigh Valley. He lost the Spring Training battle to be the team's No. 5 starter to Vince Velasquez. Top prospects like Mark Appel (3-0, 1.62 ERA in three starts) have pitched well, but the Phillies want to give their younger prospects more time to develop in the Minor Leagues.

"The whole Triple-A staff has been doing a really nice job," Klentak said. "We're fortunate that we do have -- whether Charlie is out for a couple of starts or longer -- we do have options within the organization. We're comfortable with that."
Morton, who was injured running to first base on a sacrifice bunt attempt, will receive an MRI on his hamstring Monday.
Morton, who has been on the disabled list in seven of the previous eight seasons, entered Saturday 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts, although he had allowed just one run in 12 2/3 innings in his last two outings. He allowed seven hits, six walks and struck out 13 batters in that two-start stretch against the Padres and Nationals.
"Frustrated," Morton said about the injury.