Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton made his first major-league start in more than a year Thursday, surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk in five innings against the Giants while striking out five and taking the loss.
Morton missed a little more than 12 months while recovering from Tommy John surgery and joins the Pirates rotation on the same day A.J. Burnett was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Morton will face the Reds in Cincinnati Tuesday.