DETROIT -- A.J. Hinch has delivered bad news many times in his career, but rarely has it stretched into a two-hour conversation.

Such was his respect for veteran pitcher Charlie Morton, whose goodbye lasted far longer than expected.

Morton, 41, was designated for assignment on Sunday after a rough seven-week stint with the Tigers following his acquisition from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline. After some promising moments in August, Morton posted an 11.60 ERA over his last five starts. The Tigers lost all five, including an ugly defeat to the Atlanta Braves on Friday .

“I met with Charlie off site last night and had an incredible conversation with him,” Hinch said. “I gave him the reality that this was the end here with the Tigers, and that conversation is never easy.

“I

See Full Page