Brent Morel Injury Update: White Sox Third Baseman Off To Hot Start In Rehab

The Chicago White Sox (29-22) may be getting some relief on the infield soon as 3B Brent Morel has begun his rehab assignment and is so far doing quite well.

The 25-year-old third base prospect struggled to open the 2012 MLB season as back injuries prevented him from finding his rhythm at the plate. In 125 plate appearance with the White Sox, Morel hit only 18 singles and 2 doubles -- his only extra base hits of the season.

But so far, in his rehab stint in Triple-A, Morel has three singles and a double in just 8 plate appearances. He will likely remain in Triple-A for at least several more days. The White Sox can call him up after Saturday, but with 3B Orlando Hudson playing acceptably in Morel's place, the team will have little need to rush Morel back.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.

Brent Morel Injury: Triple-A Rehab Assignment Begins On Wednesday

Chicago White Sox third baseman Brent Morel begins his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday night, as the team announced on its website. Morel was placed on the disabled list on May 22, retroactive to May 18, with a lumbar back strain.

Morel, 25, struggled badly as the White Sox's primary third baseman before ultimately being placed on the disabled list a couple weeks ago. Over 125 plate appearances, he hit an embarrassing .177/.225/.195 with just seven walks, two doubles and zero home runs.

The third baseman has fared much better in the minor leagues, including an 81-game stint with Charlotte in 2010 during which he hit .320, but he needs to prove that success can translate to the big leagues. Other than a surprising power surge at the end of last season, Morel really has never looked like a legit major league regular.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.

Brent Morel Injury Update: White Sox Infielder Taking Grounders, Feeling Better

The Chicago White Sox (26-22) hope to have their starting third baseman, Brent Morel back with the team and healthy. According to Chicago Sun-Times writer Daryl Van Schouwen, the 25-year-old is nearing the next stage of his rehabilitation from his nagging back injury:

Morel, 'feeling better than I have all year,' taking bp for first time since DL'd. Off to Charlotte tues for rehab.

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 28, 2012

And Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune passed on this photo of Morel taking grounders at Tropicana Field ahead of the team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays:

Morel's workout: twitter.com/MDGonzales/sta…

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) May 28, 2012

Morel was hitting only .177/.225/.195 through the early part of the season while playing through his back pain.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.

White Sox Roster 2012: Brent Morel Sent To DL, Orlando Hudson Added To Roster

With the Chicago White Sox (21-21) in second place in the AL Central division, the team has been hit with its first major injury. Starting 3B Brent Morel is headed to the 15-Day DL with back problems, signing 2B Orlando Hudson and adding him to the roster.

Morel was struggling in the early part of the 2012 MLB season. Through 125 plate appearances, Morel was hitting a .177/.225/.195, still without his first home run of the season as his lingering back pain seemed to render his hitting skills useless.

Hudson, meanwhile, could not find his rhythm in 2012 with the San Diego Padres, and the Padres released him after he hit only .211/.260/.317 through 131 plate appearances.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town. For more from around Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.

Brent Morel Injury Update: DL A Possibility For Morel

The back pain for Brent Morel will continue to sideline him, as rookie 3B Eduardo Escobar will get the start again today. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the back injury might be enough to send the struggling Morel to the DL:

Morel says DL a possibility, back remains tight

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) May 19, 2012

Morel has struggled all season at 3B for the White Sox. He is hitting just .177 with five RBI's and no home runs. Morel has just 20 hits in 113 AB's this season. These struggles have been magnified over the past 10 games, with Morel hitting just 4/30. Unfortunately, Escobar hasn't been much better, recording just six hits in 35 AB's this season. The rookie has driven in just one run, but might have the opportunity to show more promise at the plate if Morel is sent to the DL.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at Beyond the Box Score.

White Sox Vs. Cubs: Brent Morel Scratched From Lineup, Escobar To Start At Third

The Chicago White Sox will be without their starting third baseman in Sunday's inner-city matchup. According to the official White Sox twitter account, 3B Brent Morel will take a seat in favor of INF Eduardo Escobar:

Brent Morel has been scratched from today's #WhiteSox lineup. Eduardo Escobar will play 3rd and bat 8th.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 18, 2012

Morel has struggled -- both with a lower injury and with the bat -- in the 2012 MLB season. The 25-year-old is floundering with a .177/.225/.195 slash and is still without a home run through 125 plate appearances.

Escobar, on the other hand, has fared no better through the early part of the season. He currently sports a .176/.222/.265 slash with 1 steal through 37 plate appearances.

For more news and updates from around the MLB, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer, or dig deeper into the stats at Beyond the Box Score. Also, check out the team blogs Bleed Cubbie Blue and South Side Sox.