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Detroit Tigers trade for starter Charlie Morton in last-minute deal with Baltimore Orioles
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- Detroit Tigers trade for starter Charlie Morton in last-minute deal with Baltimore Orioles
PHILADELPHIA — The Detroit Tigers added to their starting rotation at the buzzer.
The Tigers acquired veteran right-hander Charlie Morton (and cash considerations) in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, July 31, just moments before the 6 p.m. trade deadline. The 41-year-old becomes a free agent after the 2025 season.
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To acquire Morton, the Tigers shipped Double-A left-handed reliever Micah Ashman to the Orioles.
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Jul 29, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Morton has a 5.42 ERA with 48 walks and 101 strikeouts across 101⅓ innings in 23 games (17 starts).
Since May 26, Morton owns a 3.88 ERA over his last 11 starts, a significant improvement from his nightmarish beginning to the season — a 7.68 ERA in his first 12 games, all of which resulted in losses for the Orioles.
He joins the Tigers' starting rotation, becoming the fourth-best starter in a five-man rotation that is anchored by left-hander Tarik Skubal and also features right-handers Jack Flaherty , Casey Mize and Chris Paddack .
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The Tigers opened a spot for Morton in the rotation by sending right-hander Troy Melton to the bullpen, just three days after Melton threw seven scoreless innings with zero walks and five strikeouts in his second MLB game.
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In 2025, Morton mixes five pitches: curveball (38.5%), four-seam fastball (29.2%), sinker (14.3%), changeup (9.9%) and cutter (8.1%). His fastball averages 94.2 mph, and his curveball is his best weapon for whiffs.
He ranks above average in whiff rate (60th percentile, 26.5%) but below average in walk rate (21st percentile, 10.3%) and strikeout rate (47th percentile, 21.8%).
Before joining the Tigers, Morton pitched for the Atlanta Braves (2008, 2021-24), Pittsburgh Pirates (2009-15), Philadelphia Phillies (2016), Houston Astros (2017-18), Tampa Bay Rays (2019-20) and Orioles (2025).
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Morton owns a 4.08 ERA in his 18-year MLB career.
He pitched for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch as a member of the Houston Astros in 2017-18, winning the 2017 World Series. He also won the World Series in 2021 with the Braves — and he made the All-Star Game in 2018 and 2019.
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Going to the Orioles, Ashman had established himself as one of the Tigers' top relievers in the minor leagues in 2025.
The 22-year-old posted a 1.49 ERA with nine walks and 50 strikeouts across 42⅓ innings in 30 games. He made his first 28 appearances for High-A West Michigan before a recent promotion to Double-A Erie, where he pitched in his last two outings.
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The Tigers selected Ashman in the 11th round of the 2024 draft out of Utah.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers trade for Charlie Morton in deal with Baltimore Orioles
