Chicago Cubs News: Christopher Morel recalled from Triple-A Iowa

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross may have pulled the wool over our eyes last Friday when he gave a strong indication that the team was not considering promoting utility player Christopher Morel to the Major League level after his hot start in Triple-A Iowa.

That would be why Cubs Twitter was surprised on Monday with the spotting of Morel in Chicago.

Morel is indeed at Wrigley Field with the Cubs and is being promoted to the Major League level ahead of the start of the Cubs' series against the St. Louis Cardinals this week.

Morel was named the International League's Player of the Month during the month of April and he has been tearing the cover off the ball with the Iowa Cubs. Through 134 plate appearances with the I-Cubs this season, Morel is slashing .330/.425/.730 with 11 home runs.

It will be curious to see how the Cubs plan to deploy Morel. The Cubs' front office has been adamant that Morel would not return to the Major League level until there was a path to consistent playing time. With the recent struggles of Patrick Wisdom, it is fair to suggest that the Cubs may plan to use Morel mostly at third base moving forward.

Of course, Morel can play nearly every position on the field with the exception of first base and catcher. That would be where there is intrigue over what the corresponding roster move will be to make space for Morel on the 26-man roster.

Nick Madrigal has been the primary backup to Wisdom at third base but has been in a slump of his own as he is hitting under .200 since April 20. It's possible the Cubs plan to demote Madrigal to Triple-A Iowa as a way for him to get consistent playing time in an attempt to correct his offensive approach.

UPDATE - Nelson Velazquez will be sent down to Triple-A Iowa as the corresponding move.

Moving forward, Morel will serve primarily as the team's fourth outfielder while also being able to play in the infield depending on when days off are needed.

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