Braves boost staff by adding Morton

The Atlanta Braves added another veteran arm to their rotation Tuesday, signing two-time All-Star Charlie Morton to a $15 million, one-year deal.

The 37-year-old righthander is returning to the Braves after helping Tampa Bay reach the World Series this season.

The announcement comes after lefthander Drew Smyly signed an $11 million, one-year deal with the Braves on Nov. 16. Smyly, 31, became the first of the 181 free agents to switch teams.

Morton, who played for the Houston Astros from 2017-18, was 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA in nine starts with Tampa Bay in 2020. He was 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four postseason starts as the Rays advanced to the World Series.

Rays star Arozarena arrested: Tampa Bay outfielder Randy Arozarena has been arrested in Mexico’s Yucatan state for a situation involving an apparent custody dispute, just two weeks after he won the Babe Ruth Award for the most valuable player in the MLB postseason.

The Yucatan state prosecutors’ office confirmed Tuesday that Arozarena was detained “for problems relating to his expartner.”

The office did not explain what those problems were, but video posted on social media suggested it may have involved a dispute over a child.

He has not been formally charged yet.

Hospitalized Lasorda improving: Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda’s condition has improved while he remains hospitalized in Southern California.

Los Angeles Dodgers spokesman Steve Brener said Tuesday the team’s 93-year-old former manager has been taking online calls from former players and coaches at a hospital in Orange County. Lasorda lives in Fullerton, Calif.