Morbidelli worsened a pre-existing left knee injury in a training accident on Tuesday and was excluded from racing at Assen that weekend.
In his place is the American Gerloff, who was drafted to replace Valentino Rossi in Valencia for the Yamaha factory team last year – only to drive on Friday, as the nine-time Grand Prix World Champion will start on Saturday after passing a COVID test.
However, Gerloff’s performance in the mixed conditions on a motorcycle and tires he had no experience with impressed the Yamaha management.
Without a WSBK fight this weekend, Gerloff will finally get his chance at his MotoGP race in Assen on the two-year-old “A-spec” M1 in SRT colors.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity that presents itself, I’m not someone who runs away from a challenge, so I’m ready to hit the track,” said Gerloff.
“It’s going to be a new track for me, I like to try new tracks, it looks fun, it’s fast and flowing and it really suits my driving style.
“I’m looking forward to jumping back on the Yamaha M1 and turning the gas.
“We’ll see how things go, but I feel good and I want to thank Yamaha and the team for considering me.
“It won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best.”
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Gerloff will be the first American rider to compete in a MotoGP race since the late Nicky Hayden replaced the injured Dani Pedrosa at Honda in Australia in 2016.
America’s last Grand Prix victory was achieved in 2011 in Assen by 2009 Superbike World Champion Ben Spies, who also rode a Yamaha.
Gerloff made his WSBK debut with the GRT Yamaha satellite team in 2020 after finishing the MotoAmerica ranks.
With three podium places last year, Gerloff achieved fourth place in his career at the Superpole race in Aragon in May for the GRT team.
Gerloff has no experience with aces after last year’s WSBK rounds were canceled due to COVID-19.