MLB Player News

Appearing as a pinch hitter, Morel delivered a solo home run in his only at-bat during Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

Morel began his MLB career with a bang, delivering a home run in his first at-bat during the eighth inning of the 7-0 win. He is the first Cubs player to homer in his first career at-bat since Willson Contreras did so in 2016, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 22-year-old was recalled from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday to replace Jason Heyward, who landed on the COVID-19-related injured list. Morel should be on the short side of a platoon in center with Rafael Ortega, so he may not see enough playing time in the short term to have a ton of fantasy value.

McCutchen (illness) won't be activated from the COVID-19 injured list for Wednesday's series finale versus Atlanta, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran outfielder was scheduled for a full workout Tuesday, and the team apparently wants to give him a couple more days to keep ramping up before he rejoins the active roster. McCutchen is now expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Nationals.

Turner is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Diamondbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two strikeouts during Game 1 and will take a seat for Tuesday's nightcap. Max Muncy will man the hot corner while Edwin Rios bats cleanup as the designated hitter.

Harper (elbow), who's out of the lineup Tuesday against the Padres, may miss Wednesday's game as well, but he hopes to return for Thursday's series finale, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper received a platelet-rich plasma injection to address the UCL sprain in his right elbow, an injury he's been able to play through as a designated hitter. He could wind up missing at least three days due to the shot, but a trip to the injured list doesn't appear to be on the table at this time.

The Cubs recalled Morel from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday.

During his six-year minor-league career, the 22-year-old Morel has seen work at every position except first base, catcher and pitcher, so he'll provide the Cubs with some added versatility off the bench during his first taste of the big leagues. The righty-hitting Morel, who posted a .937 OPS in 123 plate appearances at Tennessee, is likely to see most of his initial opportunities as a short-side platoon option in center field alongside the lefty-hitting Rafael Ortega, while Jason Heyward is on the COVID-19-related injured list.

Miller will hit the bench Tuesday against the Angels.

Miller's streak of sitting against every lefty ended Sunday, when he was in the lineup against opener Austin Davis. He'll sit here against southpaw Reid Detmers, with Charlie Culberson starting at the hot corner.

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said McCutchen (illness) will "probably" be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list ahead of Wednesday's series finale with Atlanta or Friday's series opener with Washington, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Whether the Brewers choose to bring McCutchen back Wednesday or following Thursday's team off day will hinge on how he fares from a conditioning standpoint during his full workout Tuesday. While McCutchen has been on the shelf for the past week and a half, the Brewers have mostly rotated Rowdy Tellez and Christian Yelich at designated hitter, which has opened up more opportunities for Jace Peterson and Tyrone Taylor.

Torrens will sit Tuesday against Toronto.

Torrens hits the bench for the second time in three games, a run which follows a stretch of six straight starts, including two as the designated hitter. Mike Ford will fill that spot Tuesday, while Cal Raleigh starts behind the plate.

Soler is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Brian Anderson will pick up the start in the outfield in place of Soler, who is sitting for only the third time through the Marlins' first 36 games of the season. Unless he's used off the bench Tuesday as a pinch hitter, Soler should check back into the lineup for the series finale Wednesday, when he'll put a seven-game hitting streak on the line.

Reyes is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds while he tends to a personal matter, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Reyes was seemingly away from the team when Cleveland posted its lineup earlier Tuesday, but acting manager Carl Willis said he believes the 26-year-old will be available in the dugout as a pinch-hitting option by the time the game begins at 6:10 p.m. ET. As a result, Reyes is expected to be back in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale, a potential off day Tuesday could be beneficial anyway, given that he went 2-for-19 with eight strikeouts over Cleveland's last five games.