Roster Moves: Cubs recall Christopher Morel, option outfielder Nelson Velazquez |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today recalled infielder/outfielder Christopher Morel from Triple-A Iowa and optioned outfielder Nelson Velázquez to Iowa.
Morel, 23, has batted .330 (38-for-115) with nine doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 31 RBI, a .425 on-base percentage, a .730 slugging percentage and a 1.155 OPS in 29 games for Iowa this season. He has a .400 average (12-for-30) and a 1.388 OPS against left-handed pitching and a .306 average (26-for-85) with a 1.075 OPS against righthanders. Morel from April 12-22 had an eight-game hitting streak in which he batted .343 (12-for-35) with three doubles, six home runs and 10 RBI. Named the International League Player of the Month for April, Morel leads the league in slugging, OPS, extra-base hits (22) and total bases (84), and is second in home runs, RBI and runs scored. He has played 13 games in center field, nine at third base, four in right field and three in left field. Morel made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2022, appearing in 113 games and hitting .235 (89-for-379) with 19 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 47 RBI and 10 stolen bases. His 39 extra-base hits were second-most by a N.L. rookie, trailing only Atlanta’s Michael Harris II (49). Morel saw time at center field (57 games), second base (33), third base (18), shortstop (13), designated hitter (3) and left field (1). Signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in August of 2015, Morel began his pro career with the Dominican Summer League Cubs in 2017 and reached Triple-A for the first time in 2021, his third domestic season. Velázquez, 24, has batted .241 (7-for-29) with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI in 13 games for Chicago this season. In 14 games with Iowa, he has hit .327 (18-for-55) with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBI. The #Cubs today recalled INF/OF Christopher Morel from @IowaCubs and optioned OF Nelson Velázquez to Iowa. pic.twitter.com/AHF9kplP96
