UPDATED: Charlie Morton leaves start early versus Washington

Morton pitched one inning and didn't return, replaced by Michael Tonkin

Atlanta Braves starter Charlie Morton left tonight's start after one inning, being replaced by Michael Tonkin. 

Morton pitched to five batters in the bottom of the first inning, walking two with one strikeout. There was no obvious indication there was an injury - Morton's velocity was in the ballpark of his normal, with his seven fastballs averaging 93.9 versus a season average of 94.9. Morton threw 24 pitches in the first inning. 

Michael Tonkin was spotted warming up between innings, and the long man entered the game in the bottom of the 2nd to face the bottom of the Nationals lineup. 

Jeff Francoeur speculated in the Bally broadcast that this could be a planned one inning "bullpen" stint for Charlie, allowing him to get two more starts in before the season ends, pitching Tuesday and the next Sunday. But the speed with which Tonkin was warming up and the extra time he was given to finish warming up on the mound indicates this was an injury concern. 

If Morton were to be placed on the 15-day IL, he would be eligible to return in time for game two of the NLDS. 

UPDATE: The announcement is that it's "right index finger discomfort" for Morton.

RHP Charlie Morton was removed from tonight’s game with right index finger discomfort.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 22, 2023

UPDATE 2: Morton passed an x-ray and it is being diagnosed as a "sprain" right now, with an MRI to come tomorrow. 

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