ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Christopher Morel, the outfielder acquired from the Chicago Cubs when the Tampa Bay Rays traded All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes in 2024, has been designated for assignment by the Rays.

The team also announced that outfielder Jake Fraley was DFA'ed, and that catcher Dominic Keegan, infielder Jadher Areinamo and pitcher Alex Cook have been added to the 40-man roster.

Morel hit 26 home runs for the Cubs in 2023 and had 18 in 2024 when he was picked up by the Rays in July. But he couldn't maintain those power numbers, hitting just three home runs the rest of the season and batting .191.

In 2025, Morel hit 11 home runs but struck out 109 times in 278 at-bats, with a .219 average. His playing time decreased down the stretch for the Rays, who missed the postseason f

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