The first month of the 2025 MLB season is in the books, and it's safe to say Atlanta Braves fans can't wait for April to end. A new slate is needed after the Braves played to a 12-15 record through their first 27 games of the season, leaving time to tell if Brian Snitker's club has what it takes to play .500 baseball throughout May.
As the Braves look to end April, now is a good time to check in on how some of the club's former players are performing. After all, a month is usually a solid sample size to assess a player's performance, including one ex-Atlanta starter whose awful 2025 performance could have him kicked to the curb by his new team before May is over.
Former Braves RHP Charlie Morton Could Be Gone From Orioles Before May Ends
A handful of Braves veterans left town during the offseason, including veteran starting pitcher Charlie Morton. After spending four seasons in Atlanta, the two-time MLB All-Star took free agency as an opportunity to sign a one-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles at the start of January.
It seemed like a good deal as long as the Orioles were getting the same Morton who pitched well throughout his four-year Braves run. The 41-year-old righty went 45-34 in 124 starts during that stretch, pitching to a 3.87 ERA while striking out 771 batters across 686 1/3 innings of work.
Much to the Orioles' dismay, though, Morton hasn't come close to looking like that pitcher this season.
As of Monday, the two-time World Series-winning hurler currently leads the Majors in losses (6), earned runs (28), and walks surrendered (20). Morton has also pitched to a career-worst 10.36 ERA along the way and is giving up more hits (12.6), home runs (2.2), and walks (7.4) per nine innings than he ever did in his 17 previous MLB campaigns.
With there being no end in sight for his struggles, it wouldn't be a surprise if Morton is removed from Baltimore's rotation. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde refused to commit to the aging starter remaining in the rotation after Morton surrendered three runs and five walks during Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
"I haven't even gotten there yet,” Hyde said, per MASN's Roch Kubatko. "Swallowing this tough day."
The Braves won't face the Orioles until early July, meaning Morton has two months to keep his roster spot if he wants to face his former team. With that being said, he'll be lucky to still have an MLB job at all by then if he continues performing at his current rate.