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Morel encouraged by his play this season

Brent Morel’s stay with the White Sox is likely to be brief, so the third baseman is hoping to make the most of his return to U.S. Cellular Field.

“It’s really nice,” Morel said. “To go and try to make the team out of spring training, not making the team was kind of disappointing. But to go down there and play well and be back here now, it’s really encouraging.”

Morel was called up from Class AAA Charlotte on Wednesday after the Sox placed Conor Gillaspie on the Paternity Leave List. Gillaspie might not be back until Saturday.

As for Morel, he was the White Sox’ opening-day starter last year but played in just 35 games before going down with a back injury.

Morel avoided surgery and finished out the 2012 season with Class A Winston-Salem and Charlotte.

This year, he is batting .280 with 5 home runs, 40 RBI and a .373 on-base percentage in 66 games at Triple-A.

“It’s not an easy road for him,” manager Robin Ventura said of Morel. “Once we got Kep (Jeff Keppinger), you get a guy like Gillaspie who is left-handed, it made him the odd-man out. But he has gone to Triple-A, gotten healthy and played well.”

Morel, who started at third base Wednesday against the Mets, said a rehab program has taken care of a bulging disc in his back.

“I’ve been playing every day with no problems,” Morel said. “I just do little stretches here and there. But there’s nothing I do to take care of it. I don’t think about it too much anymore. It’s been a good rehab.”

Still sidelined:Paul Konerko missed his second straight game with a sore back.With Thursday#146;s day off, manager Robin Ventura is hoping the Sox#146; 37-year-old captain will be good to go for Friday#146;s doubleheader against the Indians.#147;I want him in there, he wants to be in there, but it#146;s how you#146;re feeling that day and you go from there,#148; Ventura said. #147;Sometimes you make decisions for him, at least I do, that he might not necessarily like, to get him a day here and there. But he has been swinging it great so give him a couple of days to rest it up and get back at it.#148;Change is coming:The White Sox are expected to bring up a relief pitcher from the minor leagues and send down an outfielder, either Casper Wells or Jordan Danks, before Friday#146;s doubleheader against the Indians.Manager Robin Ventura said Jose Quintana and Hector Santiago are scheduled to start against Cleveland, but he didn#146;t given an order.Look to the future:Two members of the Sox#146; Class AAA Charlotte farm team, catcher Josh Phegley and starting pitcher Andre Rienzo, have been selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field in New York on July 14.Phegley is batting .314 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI for Charlotte. He#146;ll play for the U.S. team. Rienzo is 5-5 with a 5.33 ERA. The Brazilian will pitch for the World team.BBO26171897White Sox starter John Danks throws to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of an interleague baseball game Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in Chicago. Associated PressBBO

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