Morel signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Morel elected free agency after being dumped from the Pirates' 40-man roster earlier this week, and will provide the Athletics with additional organizational depth at third base. He's set to report to Triple-A Nashville and will make his debut with the minor-league squad Thursday night.

Morel refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis and is now a free agent, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

A .266/.322/.441 batting line and nine homers with Indy weren't enough to save Morel's spot in the Pirates' 40-man roster -- he was DFA'd on Saturday to make room for Aramis Ramirez. He will likely have to settle for a minor league deal with another club, but Morel could bench candidate wherever he lands by September, if not sooner.

Morel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Morel replaces Jordy Mercer, who is headed to the disabled list with a leg injury. Morel was having a solid year in Triple-A, hitting .266 in 81 games this season. In his major league career, he's a .226 hitter, but hasn't played more than 35 games in a season since 2011, when he played in 126. Morel will play third base for the Pirates as Jung Ho Kang slides over to shortstop.

Morel was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

The Pirates needed to clear space for some of their more promising young players ahead of the Rule 5 roster deadline, and Morel was one of three casualties. Ike Davis and Ramon Cabrera also lost their 40-man roster spots. Morel went just 7-for-39 (.179 average) in 23 games with the big club and hit .271/.355/.375 in 92 games with Indianapolis in 2014.

Morel was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The Pirates went ahead and brought Morel back a bit sooner than expected, with Jeff Locke not needed again until Tuesday. Morel spent three stints with the big club earlier this year but saw just 21 at-bats (3-for-21), and he'll likely serve as little more than infield depth over the remainder of the regular season.

Morel was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

He'll head back to the minors to make way for Gerrit Cole's return from the DL. Morel would have had difficulty seeing at-bats if he had remained with Pittsburgh anyway, given the presence of Josh Harrison and Pedro Alvarez at third base.

Morel was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Morel will serve as a reserve infielder for the Pirates in the short term, taking the roster spot of Charlie Morton, who was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday with hip inflammation. With Gerrit Cole (back) set to be activated later next week, it seems likely that Morel could be deemed expendable at that point.

Morel was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Morel was deemed expendable after the Pirates signed Jayson Nix in a corresponding move, adding him to their 25-man roster. The 27-year-old has seen scarce playing time with the Pirates this season, netting a .188 batting average over nine games.

Morel went 2-for-2 with three RBI against the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

He slumped badly in the past week but his performance could earn him a little more playing time. The Bucs will likely send Morel back to Triple-A in the coming week whenever Starling Marte (concussion) returns from the DL, but at least he can finally say he showed something before being sent back to the minors.

Pirates recalled 3B Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Morel was recalled to take the spot of Starling Marte, who hit the disabled list with a concussion. Morel is hitting .246/.318/.342 and will serve as infield depth for the Pirates.

Pirates optioned INF Brent Morel to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Morel drew just one at-bat in his two-day stay with the Bucs. He'll continue serving as organizational depth.

Pirates recalled INF Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Morel gets the call even though he was hitting just .215/.279/.312 over his first 25 games at Indy. He'll provide infield depth.

Pirates claimed INF Brent Morel off waivers from the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays designated Morel for assignment late last week to clear a 40-man roster spot for Liam Hendriks. Morel will now battle for a backup infield job in Pirates camp. He doesn't have a very good shot.

Blue Jays designated 3B Brent Morel for assignment.

The move clears room for the addition of Liam Hendriks, who was claimed off waivers. Morel spent the majority of the 2013 season at Triple-A with the White Sox, hitting .266/.349/.403 with six homers and 54 RBI in 106 games. There's a decent chance he'll clear waivers.

Blue Jays claimed 3B Brent Morel off waivers from the White Sox.

Morel spent the majority of the 2013 season at Triple-A Charlotte, where he hit .266/.349/.403 with six homers and 54 RBI in 106 games. The 26-year-old will function as organizational corner infield depth for the Jays.

White Sox optioned INF Brent Morel to Triple-A Charlotte.

Morel is batting just .227 (5-for-22) in 11 games with the White Sox this season. He'll continue to provide depth at the Triple-A level.

White Sox recalled INF Brent Morel from Triple-A Charlotte.

Morel went 2-for-9 in three games last week with the Pale Hose. He will serve as a utility infielder.

White Sox optioned INF Brent Morel to Triple-A Charlotte.

Morel is no longer needed now that Conor Gillaspie has returned from the paternity leave list. He served as the 26th man for Friday's doubleheader and went 2-for-9 in three games with the White Sox.

White Sox recalled INF Brent Morel from Triple-A Charlotte.

Morel will take the roster spot of Conor Gillaspie while he's away on paternity leave. The 26-year-old was batting .280/.373/.436 with five home runs, 40 RBI, and eight stolen bases through 66 games in Triple-A.

Brent Morel has been placed on the 7-day disabled list with Triple-A Charlotte.

The exact nature of the injury isn't yet clear. Morel was hitting .231/.354/.410 with one home run, six RBI and a .764 OPS over his first 11 games with the Knights this season.