Charlie Morton is scheduled to throw a bullpen before tonight’s game against the Red Sox. How he feels afterwards will determine whether or not he is able to start Sunday against the Brewers.
According to Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle, Morton felt good throwing off of flat ground since he made his start on Tuesday night. However, his bullpen session will prove whether or not he is comfortable enough throwing off of a mound.
“I think we’ll get a lot of feedback today, I feel confident in that. I don’t think he’s going to do anything taxing. [He’s throwing] a 30-35 pitch bullpen. We’re still taking it one day at a time. I feel optimistic but again he has to go out there and throw off of a slope today, and we’ll see where we are then,” Hurdle said.
If everything goes well for Morton, it seems likely he will be making the start on Sunday.
If Morton does not feel healthy enough to pitch, Vance Worley is ready and available to make the start in that spot. The fact that he has not pitched in over a week does not change his availability, Hurdle explained.
“He’s in a routine that a lot of pitchers are in during the season, and if he were to come back, he [only missed one] start. He’ll pick up some extra work in the bullpen or maybe an extra side session [until Sunday]. He could take Charlie’s spot on Sunday [if needed].”
