Brent Morel (back) hopes to begin a rehab assignment by the middle of next week. Morel took grounders Sunday without any apparent issues. His rehab assignment wouldn't figure to last long, so he should be back no later than mid-June if he doesn't have any setbacks.

White Sox placed 3B Brent Morel on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 18, with a lumbar back strain. As expected. Morel's lower back failed to respond to a cortisone shot earlier this month, so the White Sox hope an extended absence will do the trick. The 25-year-old ended last season with some momentum, but he's batting just .177/.225/.195 with zero homers and a miserable 39/7 K/BB ratio across 125 plate appearances this year. The newly-signed Orlando Hudson will fill in for him at the hot corner.

Brent Morel was scratched from Friday's lineup due to a recurrence of his lower back pain. Morel missed a handful of games earlier this month with the ailment but had returned to play over the last week. Clearly, the issue isn't behind him. Eduardo Escobar is taking his spot at third base.

Brent Morel returned to action on Saturday May 12.

Brent Morel is out Wednesday with back soreness. Eduardo Escobar drew the start at third base against the Indians. Morel is being called day-to-day.

Brent Morel is back in the starting lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Indians. Brent Lillibridge started in his place in the first game and went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly. Morel is hitting just .188/.225/.212 in 27 games this season and has shown very little reason for optimism recently, so he could continue to lose playing time in the days ahead.

Brent Morel is not in Monday's starting lineup. Morel is batting just .188/.225/.212 in 27 games this season and has struck out 32 times in 85 at-bats. Brent Lillibridge will play third base against the Indians.

Brent Morel is not in Thursday's lineup against the Indians. We doubt this will impact many fantasy owners at this point, as Morel is hitting just .188 with zero homers and a 28/4 K/BB ratio across 88 plate appearances this season. Eduardo Escobar will start in his place and bat ninth against right-hander Justin Masterson.

Brent Morel was dropped down to ninth in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Indians. Morel got another shot out of the No. 2 spot on Monday night and went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. He's now 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts to begin the season. He simply needs to put together better at-bats in order to dig his way out of the bottom of the lineup.

The White Sox removed Brent Morel from the second spot in the batting order. White Sox manager Robin Ventura experimented with Morel at the top of the lineup, but will move him back to the bottom-third for now. Brent Lillibridge replaces him in the order. Morel will hit eighth.