Charlie Morton, Lucas Giolito, Zack Britton Discuss Lack of Contact amid MLB Lockout

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Business around MLB came to a halt after team owners locked the players out amid negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. For some players, the extent of the shutdown is less than ideal.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito and Atlanta Braves starter Charlie Morton lamented to Fox Sports’ Jake Mintz how they’re unable to speak with coaches on their team’s staff.

Giolito reflected how he has known White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz since he was 15.

“Beyond baseball, he is a very, very close friend of mine,” he said. “He was at my wedding; I was at his. And I just think it’s strange and unfortunate that because of the lockout, he’s being told he’s not allowed to talk to me or any of the other guys.”

Morton explained how he’s in a tough spot as he continues his recovery from a fractured fibula.

“Nothing would happen to me. I wouldn’t get in trouble [for reaching out], but I’ve gotten the sense they’re being told to not communicate with us. I’m also pretty sure I was told I’m not allowed to mail my X-ray disk to the Braves. It’s disappointing to me because we’re working toward the same goal. I like communicating with them.”

New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton emphasized the benefits of the MLB Players Association developing partnerships outside of MLB so that he can rehab from Tommy John surgery without correspondence with Yankees staffers.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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