articleThe Atlanta Braves signed veteran pitcher Charlie Morton to a major league contract on Monday, a day after the right-hander was designated for assignment and released by Detroit. Braves manager Brian Snitker did not say if the 41-year-old Morton will pitch for the Braves in the final week of the season. Morton signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Orioles in January and was traded to the Tigers before July’s trade deadline. His 2,195 career strikeouts rank sixth among active MLB pitchers. In a corresponding move, Atlanta optioned right-handed pitcher Jhancarlos Lara to Triple-A Gwinnett and designated right-hander Carson Ragsdale for assignment.