Morel begins rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville
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MIAMI – The Marlins announced Christopher Morel would begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday night in Gwinnett, Ga. He was scheduled to play five innings at first base.
Morel, whom the Marlins signed to a one-year Major League deal to be their first baseman, strained his left oblique during his last swings of Opening Day batting practice on March 27 and has been sidelined ever since. The initial timetable called for 4-6 weeks, which falls in line with the beginning of his rehab.
Manager Clayton McCullough caught up with Morel during last Thursday’s off-day at the Marlins’ Jupiter Academy, where the four-year veteran was building back up.
“He was in good spirits,” McCullough said. “He was very pleased with the progression and how he was, so I know he was chomping at the bit to get out. It's exciting. … It's hard to believe Opening Day [how] it went down. Chris was bummed, but now that's beyond him, and he's getting closer. So anticipate that he's in a good spot to be able to make it through this rehab.”
When Morel signed with the Marlins, both parties hoped for a bounceback campaign after he hit just 11 homers and posted an 89 OPS+ in 105 games for the Rays. From 2022-24, Morel combined for 1.9 bWAR, 63 homers and a 100 OPS+.
Though Miami’s offense entered Tuesday tied for the eighth-highest OPS (.721) in the Majors, it also was tied for the second-fewest homers (16). One reason the Marlins took a flier on Morel was because of his power.
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In Morel’s absence, Connor Norby – projected to be one of the club’s third basemen – moved across the diamond to a position he had never played until this spring, the same as Morel. Despite Norby’s performance so far this season (-1 defensive run saved, 1 out above average and a 113 OPS+), the Marlins intend to keep Morel at first base during his rehab assignment. Morel has played second (74 games), third (97 games), short (15 games), left (88 games), center (69 games) and right (10 games) in his career.
“I don't think we'll ask Chris on this rehab to go play some third base,” McCullough said. “It'll be first-base action. And then, if and when Chris is back with us, we'll figure out the dynamic here.”
The 26-year-old Morel is the latest Marlins position player to progress health-wise. Miami reinstated All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers from the injured list last Friday, while infielder Maximo Acosta returned from rehab and was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday. Outfielder Esteury Ruiz began a rehab assignment last Wednesday and has played in three games entering Tuesday.