Mets call up Christopher Morel from minors and cut infielder Gabriel Arias

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets called up infielder Christopher Morel from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Morel, who has a pair of 20-homer seasons in the majors, was selected to the big league roster as New York prepared to begin a three-game series against the surging San Diego Padres.

Interim manager Andy Green said the 27-year-old Morel, a right-handed hitter, will start at first base Tuesday night against Padres left-hander Robbie Ray.

To open a roster spot, infielder Gabriel Arias was designated for assignment.

Morel is a .220 career hitter with 74 home runs, 211 RBIs and a .702 OPS in 499 major league games over five seasons from 2022-26. He has played for the Cubs, Rays and Marlins.

Morel batted .162 in 22 games with Miami this season before getting released on June 26. He signed a minor league contract with the Mets on July 1 and hit .309 with 12 homers, 29 RBIs and a 1.033 OPS in 35 games at Syracuse.

“I had Christopher in Chicago. Absolutely love the guy. Infectious personality. Doing tremendously well in Triple-A for us,” Green said. “Love having him. He's a great person, great teammate, great competitor, so he's going to fit right in.”

President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said the last-place Mets still expect slugging outfielder Juan Soto (left calf strain) and reliever Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) to return this season.

Stearns also said he still expects Green to return to a front-office role after the season. Despite trading away six pitchers and outfielder Tyrone Taylor just ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, New York (56-69) entered Monday with nine wins over the past 12 games and a 22-22 record since Green took over as interim manager when Carlos Mendoza was fired on June 26.

The 48-year-old Green, who went 274-366 as manager of the Padres from 2016-19, had been overseeing the Mets' farm system as Senior Vice President, Baseball Development.

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New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

New York Mets interim manager Andy Green gives a news conference before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets interim manager Andy Green speaks during a news conference before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Washington Commanders are releasing kicker Jake Moody and signing linebacker Krys Barnes, according to a person with knowledge of the decisions.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the moves had not been announced. They are expected to be made official Tuesday.

Cutting Moody ends the team's training camp kicking competition, with the job going for now to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens.

Moody made his only field goal attempt in Washington’s preseason opener Friday night, from 29 yards out. But he had been less consistent in camp practices than Stevens, who connected on a 41-yarder against the Dolphins.

Moody, 26, made 10 of his 11 field goal attempts in six games last season with the Commanders, his third team after starting with San Francisco and making a stop in Chicago. He was the 49ers' kicker in 2023 and '24.

Stevens, 22, set records at Iowa for the most field goals made with 76 and the longest in school history at 58 yards.

Barnes joins the Commanders after playing seven games and starting three with Carolina last season. He has 323 tackles in 78 regular-season and playoff games with the Panthers, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers.

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FILE - Washington Commanders place kicker Drew Stevens (19) kicks the ball during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Aug. 14, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)

FILE - Washington Commanders kicker Jake Moody (16) in action during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Aug. 14, 2026, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)