Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Morton will work out of the bullpen moving forward, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

In lieu of re-signing Corbin Burnes or bringing aboard another frontline starter via trade or free agency this offseason, the Orioles brought Morton aboard on a one-year, $15 million deal with the hope that he would serve as a stable contributor in the middle of the rotation. That gambit has backfired, as Father Time appears to have finally caught up with Morton in his age-41 season. The Orioles deployed Morton in bulk relief in his last two appearances with the hope that the arrangement would yield better results, but the right-hander gave up four earned runs on six hits and six walks over six innings between those outings and now owns a 9.45 ERA and 2.17 WHIP for the season. Hyde hasn't closed the door on Morton starting again at some point down the road, but the veteran may need to turn in a few quality low-leverage appearances out of the bullpen before the Orioles insert him back into the rotation.

Morton (0-5) took the loss Sunday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on seven hits and four walks over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old right-hander did not have it again in this 68-pitch outing, getting just seven outs -- his shortest start of the season. Morton has now allowed four or more runs in each of his first five starts. His production has been downright unsightly, as he's posted a 10.89 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Given how badly Morton has struggled, the Orioles may be contemplating removing him from the rotation. If he makes it, Morton's next start is currently slated to be at Detroit next weekend.

Morton (0-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings in a loss to the Guardians on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Morton's struggles continued, as he's now given up four-plus earned runs in six straight starts (dating back to the end of last season) for the first time in his 18-year career. Walks in the third contributed to the Guardians' first run of the game and they poured on three more in the fifth, including a two-run homer from Steven Kwan. Morton will continue to stick in the rotation while the Orioles' top two starters are on the shelf. He lines up to face the Reds in Baltimore on Sunday.

Morton (0-3) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over five-plus innings as the Orioles fell 4-3 to the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old righty got only 51 of his 87 pitches into the strike zone as his rough start to the campaign continues. Morton has struck out 17 batters in his first 13.1 innings with Baltimore, but he's also walked eight, leading to an 8.78 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. Given the team's injury issues in the rotation, the O's have little choice but to let Morton try to work through his issues. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound at home early next week against the Guardians.

Morton (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out ten.

EDGE Analysis

Morton had the strikeout pitch working Thursday, recording double-digit punchouts for the first time since 2023. However, the veteran right-hander fell victim to the home-run ball early, giving up a pair of two-run homers to Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell in each of the first two innings, respectively. Morton's now given up nine runs through his first two starts (8.1 innings) with Baltimore. He'll look to get in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Arizona.

Morton (0-1) gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.1 innings Friday in a loss to the Blue Jays. He had three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old Morton became the oldest starting pitcher to open a game for the Orioles, but aside from that little bit of history, this was one to forget for Morton. He needed 23 pitches to get through the first inning while allowing two hits in the frame and was at 41 pitches after two innings. He was chased out of the game in the fourth inning after surrendering base hits to the first three batters he faced followed by a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Morton departed after 80 pitches, and reliever Albert Suarez allowed two of Morton's inherited runners to score, ultimately saddling him with the loss. Baltimore will look to Morton to eat up innings in 2025, and the right-hander has been durable, averaging 174 innings pitched over the last six full regular seasons. He is tentatively lined up for a home start against Boston next week.

Morton threw three scoreless innings against the Rays in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, striking out four batters.

EDGE Analysis

Morton struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting down Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Curtis Mead in order on 14 pitches. He got through the next two innings on 13 total pitches. Morton's fastball was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph, and the 41-year-old has yet to allow a run through six innings of work this spring. With Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) already ruled out for Opening Day, the Orioles are going to rely on Morton even more out of the gates this season.

Morton (illness) is scheduled to start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old missed some workouts at the start of camp due to an illness, but he'll still make his spring debut for the Orioles within the first few games of camp. Morton joined Baltimore on a one-year, $15 million contract in early January and will be a key rotation piece after posting a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 167:65 K:BB across 165.1 innings with Atlanta last year.

Morton wasn't present for Thursday's full-squad workout due to an illness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Provided the ailment isn't anything too severe, Morton should resume working out with the Orioles within the next few days. After signing a one-year, $15 million deal with Baltimore over the winter, Morton is expected to open his age-41 season as the Orioles' No. 3 starter behind Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin.

The Orioles signed Morton to a one-year, $15 million contract Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Morton finished the 2024 regular season with an 8-10 record over 30 starts with a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 23.8 percent strikeout rate across 165.1 innings. Despite turning 41 last November, Morton has pitched at least 150 innings in four of the last five seasons and will join an Orioles' rotation that lost Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks in free agency.