![\"MIAMI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2274969247-GI.JPG\" "\\"MIAMI,")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 10: Christopher Morel #5 of the Miami Marlins hits an RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at loanDepot park on May 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Sam Navarro<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
As Christopher Morel prepared to step into the batter\u2019s box in the eighth inning for a crucial at-bat on Sunday, Connor Norby and Heriberto Hernandez approached their teammate and gave him some advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey got close to me before the at-bat, and they were telling me [to] keep trusting myself, to keep swinging, because swinging is the only way that you can make something happen,\u201d Morel said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what I did. I went out there and swung the bat.\u201d<\/p>\n
His swing proved pivotal for the Miami Marlins.<\/p>\n
After falling behind in the count 0-2, Morel lifted a slider low in the zone from Washington Nationals reliever Gus Varland into center field for a go-ahead RBI single. He followed that by being the trail runner in a double steal with Jakob Marsee \u2014 the Marlins\u2019 second double steal of the inning \u2014 and scoring on Hernandez\u2019s single in Miami\u2019s eventual 5-2 win at loanDepot park.<\/p>\n
And with all that came a momentary sense of relief for Morel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best feeling of all,\u201d Morel said, \u201cis actually being able to help the team with something.\u201d<\/p>\n
To put it simply, Morel had not been to do that for the Marlins prior to Sunday. One of Miami\u2019s few free agent acquisitions this offseason, signing with the club for $2 million on a one-year deal, Morel was projected to be the team\u2019s primary first baseman entering spring training.<\/p>\n
But then a fluke injury to his oblique during batting practice on Opening Day sidelined him for a month.<\/p>\n
And then he struggled at the plate in spot appearances once finally joining the big-league roster on April 27. The eighth-inning RBI single on Sunday was just his fifth hit of the season and the first RBI on the campaign in 31 plate appearances while striking out 11 times entering the team\u2019s series opener against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
It has been a frustrating time for bhim and the Marlins.<\/p>\n
But Morel has done what he can to stay the course, and the Marlins are giving him chances to break out of the slump.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust continue with the routine,\u201d Morel said. \u201cWhat you do every day, trust in that process, and then just thankful with God and the manager and everybody who supports me and gives me the chance every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Marlins manager Clayton McCullough: \u201cChristopher is a great teammate. It\u2019s something we knew when we signed him this offseason. Everybody you talk to that has been around Chris, he just brings a ton of life to the club. He\u2019s always ready. And he\u2019s told me many times, like, \u2018Just whatever you need me for.\u2019 When you come back, it\u2019s easy to try to press the panic button a little bit and want things to happen quickly. Just got to hang in there and just kind of keep taking good at-bats. I\u2019m going to continue to give him an opportunity to try to get into a rhythm and go, because he does have the ability to slug from the right side.\u201d<\/p>\n
That slugging potential was showcased early in his MLB career. In his first two seasons with the Chicago Cubs in 2022 and 2023, Morel hit .241 with a .471 slugging mark, .781 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and 42 home runs. But in the two seasons that followed, those numbers dipped to a .204 average, .363 slugging, .651 OPS and 32 home runs.<\/p>\n
The slide has continued so far this season, although he is still getting into a rhythm following the injury.<\/p>\n
Maybe Sunday\u2019s momentous hit will be the one that sparks him.<\/p>\n
Either way, Morel will continue to get time at first base and as a designated hitter against left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n
And he\u2019s making sure he\u2019s ready when his name is called.<\/p>\n
\u201cControl what you can control,\u201d Morel said, \u201cand then just take every advantage of the opportunity the team is giving you, and then just do your best every day.\u201d<\/p>\n