CINCINNATI — After outfielder Cody Bellinger went through an extensive workout that included hitting and throwing Monday, the Cubs reinstated him from the 10-day injured list for their series opener against the Reds. Bellinger, however, didn’t play in the Cubs’ 7-1 loss.
The Cubs had an open spot on their active roster after trading third baseman Christopher Morel to the Rays the day before. Third baseman Isaac Paredes, whom the team acquired for Morel and pitching prospects Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson, was expected to arrive in Cincinnati later Monday and wouldn’t be activated until Tuesday.
Bellinger had been sidelined by a fractured left middle finger and returned on the early side of his original projected timeline.
‘‘Really good day,’’ manager Craig Counsell said before reviewing Bellinger’s full workout with him and the training staff. ‘‘Going to assess after he’s done with the next round of working out and see where we’re at. But we’re moving in a really good direction.’’
Before the injury, Bellinger was a subject of trade speculation. The two opt-outs in his three-year, $80 million contract were always expected to complicate any potential negotiations, but then his injury and the uncertainty of a timetable for his return poured cold water on rumors. He returned the day before the trade deadline.
In Counsell’s only partial season managing Morel, the 25-year-old made an impression.
‘‘He has an outlook and demeanor that makes it fun to be around him,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘He loves playing. And that joy that’s just his outlook on life is present no matter what’s going on, no matter how he’s playing, no matter how the team is playing. . . . It’s indicated by how he treats people. He’s an example for all of us in that regard.’’
Morel is in his third major-league season but had been with the Cubs’ organization since 2015, when he signed as an international amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic.
‘‘Morel was an awesome teammate, super-talented player, loves the game,’’ outfielder Ian Happ said. ‘‘I think everybody can see that in the way that he plays. It was a pleasure to be with him, and we wish him nothing but the best.’’
Morel was notified early in the game Sunday against the Royals that he had been traded and said goodbyes in the dugout.
‘‘Coming in and seeing the tears in his eyes, it was tough,’’ corner infielder Patrick Wisdom told the Sun-Times. ‘‘I know he’s going to excel [with the Rays] . . . but it’s always tough to see a close teammate go.’’
Right-hander Adbert Alzolay (strained flexor in forearm) is headed to Chicago to be reevaluated after what Counsell called ‘‘a little setback.’’
Alzolay made his third rehab appearance and first with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. He allowed two runs and two hits and walked two in one inning.
The concern, Counsell said, arose in Alzolay’s recovery.
