Morel signed a contract extension with the Orix Buffaloes, the Japan Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Morel hit just .234 with 13 home runs and a .683 OPS last year in his first season with Orix. It doesn't sound like he's returning to MLB any time soon.

Morel was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. The Pirates needed to clear space for some of their more promising young players ahead of the Rule 5 roster deadline, and Morel was one of three casualties. Ike Davis and Ramon Cabrera also lost their 40-man roster spots. Morel went just 7-for-39 (.179 average) in 23 games with the big club and hit .271/.355/.375 in 92 games with Indianapolis in 2014.

Morel was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The Pirates went ahead and brought Morel back a bit sooner than expected, with Jeff Locke not needed again until Tuesday. Morel spent three stints with the big club earlier this year but saw just 21 at-bats (3-for-21), and he'll likely serve as little more than infield depth over the remainder of the regular season.

Morel was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday. He'll head back to the minors to make way for Gerrit Cole's return from the DL. Morel would have had difficulty seeing at-bats if he had remained with Pittsburgh anyway, given the presence of Josh Harrison and Pedro Alvarez at third base.

Morel was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. Morel will serve as a reserve infielder for the Pirates in the short term, taking the roster spot of Charlie Morton, who was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday with hip inflammation. With Gerrit Cole (back) set to be activated later next week, it seems likely that Morel could be deemed expendable at that point.

Pirates recalled 3B Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis. Morel was recalled to take the spot of Starling Marte, who hit the disabled list with a concussion. Morel is hitting .246/.318/.342 and will serve as infield depth for the Pirates.

Pirates optioned INF Brent Morel to Triple-A Indianapolis. Morel drew just one at-bat in his two-day stay with the Bucs. He'll continue serving as organizational depth.

Pirates recalled INF Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis. Morel gets the call even though he was hitting just .215/.279/.312 over his first 25 games at Indy. He'll provide infield depth.

Pirates claimed INF Brent Morel off waivers from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays designated Morel for assignment late last week to clear a 40-man roster spot for Liam Hendriks. Morel will now battle for a backup infield job in Pirates camp. He doesn't have a very good shot.

Blue Jays designated 3B Brent Morel for assignment. The move clears room for the addition of Liam Hendriks, who was claimed off waivers. Morel spent the majority of the 2013 season at Triple-A with the White Sox, hitting .266/.349/.403 with six homers and 54 RBI in 106 games. There's a decent chance he'll clear waivers.