The Tigers designated veteran right-hander Charlie Morton for assignment on Sunday as the club tries to maintain its grip on the American League Central lead.

Morton, 41, went 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA in nine starts since arriving from the Orioles at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Minor League left-hander Micah Ashman.

He allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Braves in his last start on Friday, contributing to Detroit's 5-12 record this month that has seen its lead in the division shrink from 9 1/2 games entering Sept. 1 to just one game over the Guardians entering play Sunday.

Tanner Rainey was called up from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. The 32-year-old right-hander had a 10.57 ERA with the Pirates this season, but he's pitched to a 2.66 mark with 33 strikeouts in

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