Morel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Morel has homered four times over his last eight games, adding seven RBI in that span. The 24-year-old's gotten back into form over the last week or so, which has in turn helped him stay in the lineup more regularly -- though the Cubs have also faced southpaws in three of their last five games. For the year, Morel is slashing .248/.312/.504 with 23 homers, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored and four stolen bases over 96 games.

Morel went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Monday in a 5-4 win against Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Morel connected for a mammoth 466-foot solo shot in the fifth inning to give the Cubs their first lead. It was the second straight game with a long ball for the slugger, and he's up to 22 homers over 365 plate appearances on the season. Morel isn't an everyday player due in part to his 32.1 percent strikeout rate, but he's a constant power threat when he's in the lineup as suggested by his 15.04 AB/HR.

Morel went 2-for-4 with a triple and a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Morel served as the DH and batted first, and he had a big impact on the game, launching his 21st home run of the season in the third inning. He also added just his second triple of the year. Morel had seen a dip in playing time recently, but with Jeimer Candelario (back) departing Sunday's contest early, there could be a bigger role available for the former in the near future.

Morel is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Morel had started the last two games after being out of the lineup for the three prior contests. The Cubs are utilizing Mike Tauchman in the designated hitter spot Friday, with Cody Bellinger playing center field and Jeimer Candelario covering first base.

Morel went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 11-8 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Morel entered the game as a pinch hitter in the third inning and made his mark in the seventh, hitting his 20th home run of the season with two runners on as the Cubs rallied for six runs in the frame. The 24-year-old has been out of the starting lineup the past three days, so he may have lost his grip on an everyday role, though he can still do some damage off the bench. Of course, fantasy managers would rather see Morel starting.

Morel remains out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

There's no word of any injury, but this is Morel's third straight absence from the Cubs' starting lineup. It could be all performance-related, as the versatile 24-year-old has slumped to a .127/.215/.239 batting line over his last 79 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3.

Morel is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Giants, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Morel has now been on the bench for two straight after starting each of the previous three contests. Cody Bellinger is being used at designated hitter Monday.

Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Morel had served as Chicago's designated hitter for each of the past three games, but he went just 1-for-7 at the dish in those games to bring his slash line to .148/.225/.309 since the beginning of August. With Morel unable to take advantage of his brief return to the everyday lineup, he appears set to move back into a utility role for the final month of the season.

Morel is not in the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Ian Happ, Mike Tauchman and Seiya Suzuki will start across the outfield as Cody Bellinger takes a turn as the Cubs' designated hitter. Morel hit a double Saturday at Pittsburgh but is slashing just .117/.209/.250 over his last 67 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3. He now finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in five games and may be moving into more of a part-time role.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Friday marks the fourth time Morel has been held out of the lineup in the Cubs' last five games as he continues to slump at the plate. Jeimer Candelario will serve as Chicago's designated hitter in Morel's absence while Nick Madrigal starts at third base.