CHRISTOPHER MOREL NEWS

A Chicago Cubs-Alex Bregman pairing makes a lot of sense. As spring arrives, the possibility looms

Two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman is one of the few remaining marquee free agents still on the market as teams begin to report for spring training

FEBRUARY 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Projected to start in left field Morel is projected to begin the 2025 season as the Rays' starting left fielder, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Morel was dealt to the Rays in late July and subsequently started 31 games. Only 11 of those came in left field as compared to 20 at third base. However, with Junior Caminero all but certain to be a mainstay at the hot corner, Morel will be forced to a new defensive home. He could also face some pressure for playing time from Richie Palacios or even Eloy Jimenez if he cannot improve upon the .547 OPS that he posted across 190 plate appearances with the team in 2024.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Among 2025 questions for Rays: How to get more from Christopher Morel Tales | The July trade acquisition from the Cubs struggled mightily, so the Rays have to wait and hope his second season is a hit.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • TAMPABAY.COM

Red Sox bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Rays

The Boston Red Sox will try to end their three-game losing streak when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Josh Lowe, Taj Bradley lead Rays to 2-1 victory over Red Sox

Josh Lowe hit an RBI double and scored a run in the seventh inning as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Friday night

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Absent from starting nine Morel is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Boston.

Impact After making three straight starts (two in left field, one at DH), Morel will get a night off. Richie Palacios, Jonny DeLuca and Josh Lowe fill the outfield while Brandon Lowe DHs.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers host the Rays on 3-game home win streak

The Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays looking to continue a three-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays take 4-game win streak into matchup with the Tigers

The Tampa Bay Rays will try to extend a four-game win streak with a victory over the Detroit Tigers

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aranda homers in a third straight game and the Rays beat the Blue Jays 4-3 for a 3-game sweep

Jonathan Aranda homered in a third straight game and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taking seat Sunday Morel is not in the lineup for Sunday's contest against the Blue Jays.

Impact Dylan Carlson will patrol left field and bat leadoff for the Rays. The Blue Jays are using a right-handed opener in Ryan Burr and are then expected to turn to lefty Ryan Yarbrough in bulk relief, so Morel is a candidate to enter mid-game.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rays host the Blue Jays on 3-game home win streak

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Toronto Blue Jays trying to continue a three-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays meet in game 2 of series

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Toronto Blue Jays, leading the series 1-0

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in Thursday's lineup Morel is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Red Sox.

Impact Morel had started the last two games after missing the two contests prior to that with a sore Achilles. His absence from the lineup Thursday appears to be a routine day off. Most of Morel's playing time lately has come in left field, but Dylan Carlson will handle that spot for the Rays on Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox meet in game 2 of series

The Tampa Bay Rays lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back in lineup Tuesday Morel (Achilles) will start in left field and bat fifth in Tuesday's game versus the Red Sox.

Impact Morel missed each of the last two contests with right Achilles discomfort, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go as the Rays open a series against the Red Sox. Each of Morel's last three starts have been in left field after he had previously only played second base since joining Tampa Bay.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absence continuing Sunday Morel (Achilles) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Guardians.

Impact It's the second straight game on the bench for Morel after he exited Friday's contest due to right Achilles discomfort. He'll also have Monday's team off day to help in his recovery before Tuesday's series opener versus Boston.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Saturday Morel (Achilles) is not in Saturday's lineup against Cleveland.

Impact Morel was forced to exit Friday's game after suffering a leg injury while running the bases. The injury isn't believed to be serious, but Morel will get at least one more day to rest.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rays face the Guardians with 2-0 series lead

The Tampa Bay Rays bring a 2-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Cleveland Guardians

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Exits with injury Morel was removed from Friday's game versus Cleveland due to right Achilles discomfort, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Morel appeared to tweak his lower leg while turning back to first base after hitting a single in the third inning, and he ended up getting pulled for a pinch runner. The severity of his injury remains unknown, though it's possible the Rays give him a day or two off in order to properly recover.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pair of extra-base hits Morel went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and an RBI on Tuesday against the Phillies.

Impact Morel got off to a slow start with the Rays but has managed at least one hit in 13 of his last 20 games. He's still lacked power in that span (.368 slugging percentage), so his multiple extra-base hit effort was an encouraging sign. Morel has lost some playing time of late, but is benefitting from Brandon Lowe's (finger) ongoing absence.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Schwarber sets MLB leadoff HR mark, Stevenson delivers tiebreaking hit as Phillies top Rays 9-4

Kyle Schwarber set an MLB record with his 14th leadoff homer of the season before leaving due to injury, and pinch-hitter Cal Stevenson hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eigh...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phillies play the Rays in first of 3-game series

The Philadelphia Phillies open a three-game series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not starting Saturday Morel isn't in the Rays' lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Despite recording a base hit in six of his last seven games, Morel will now sit down for the third time in Tampa Bay's last four contests. Yandy Diaz will instead serve as the Rays' DH while Austin Shenton starts at first base and bats ninth.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles play the Rays with 1-0 series lead

The Baltimore Orioles lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Friday Morel is not in Friday's lineup against the Orioles.

Impact This is only Morel's second time out of the lineup in the last 10 games, even though he is hitting .191 with 42 strikeouts and three home runs in 31 games since getting traded to Tampa Bay. Jose Caballero draws the start at second base while Taylor Walls mans shortstop.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE