56 Franklin Morales, RP

Red Sox pitcher Franklin Morales is getting close to returning from the disabled list, but may need one more minor-league rehab assignment as he recovers from a lower back strain, WEEI.com reports Saturday

Morales has topped 80 pitches in his rehab stint, and could be used as a spot starter when he returns, though he is likely to be used out of the bullpen initially. Morales has a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings during his rehab stint.  

Red Sox starting pitcher Franklin Morales (back, pectoral) moved his rehab assignment from Triple-A Pawtucket to Double-A Portland Thursday. Morales picked up the win as he allowed one unearned run on six hits and two walks in five innings, while striking out three.

Since restarting his rehab assignment May 8, Morales has made two starts for Portland and two starts for Pawtucket. He is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two starts for Pawtucket and 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts for Portland.

Red Sox pitcher Franklin Morales will start Thursday for Double-A Portland, WEEI.com reports. Morales has been dealing with a lower-back strain since spring training and also strained a left pectoral muscle. 

Morales has allowed six runs over 12 innings through four minor league rehab appearances. Boston is stretching him out to start but doesn't have an opening in the rotation. 

"The fact is, he’s getting up and down multiple times with the innings pitched and coming out of each start with no issues," manager John Farrell said. "Everything is moving according to what our initial thoughts were with him. Once we get through tomorrow, we’ll re-evaluate that and see what the needs are here and certainly where he fits in."

Red Sox injured pitcher Franklin Morales is slated to start Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket, WEEI.com reported Wednesday. Morales will throw four innings in that start. 

Unless the Red Sox have a glaring bullpen need, Morales is likely to receive another start following Saturday in order to get stretched out to as many as five innings. 

Red Sox pitcher Franklin Morales made a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday. He allowed one run on two hits over three innings of work. The left-hander also struck out four with no walks.

Morales has been sidelined since spring training due to a back injury and suffered a setback in the form of a strained pectoral muscle in late April.