Franklin Morales admitted his comfort-level is up this year after appearing in 36 games with the Red Sox last season.

"It was hard getting to know everybody and a new city,'' Morales said. "They had their team and I had to try and fit in. It was strange sometimes.'' Morales, 26, had a strong showing in the Venezuelan Winter League and is expected to have a place in the bullpen if healthy.

The Red Sox and LHP Franklin Morales agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract, avoiding arbitration.

He was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. Morales, who turns 26 next week, posted a 3.69 ERA and 42/19 K/BB ratio over 46 1/3 innings last season between the Red Sox and Rockies. The southpaw will pitch in middle relief in 2012.

Red Sox activated LHP Franklin Morales from the 15-day disabled list.

Morales missed one whole month with a muscle strain in his forearm. The left-hander showed good velocity during a lengthy rehab assignment and will return to his role as a lefty specialist on Tuesday night.

Franklin Morales (forearm) allowed two unearned runs Thursday in a short rehab outing at Triple-A Pawtucket.

The runs both scored on a deep two-run shot but were not charged to Morales because an error by Yamaico Navarro started the inning. Morales faced seven batters in all and hit 96 MPH with his fastball. The Red Sox are expected to call him up soon.

Franklin Morales (forearm) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday.

Morales will make two or three rehab appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket before returning to the major leagues. "He's doing pretty well," Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters Thursday. "He had a side yesterday that went real well. That was his second one, so he was able to turn loose." The left-handed specialist has been sidelined since late May with a forearm strain.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that Franklin Morales (forearm) is "feeling pretty good" but not ready to start a rehab assignment.

"We want to make sure [he's OK], especially with the way he throws -- he's not a real finesse guy, he's out there letting it fly," Francona said. "We'll have some more updates on him hopefully soon. I don't think he's ready for that yet." Morales was placed on the DL on Sunday. It sounds like he could wind up spending more than the minimum amount of time on the DL, but it shouldn't be much longer after that.

An MRI taken Monday on Franklin Morales' strained left forearm showed no structural damage.

Morales has some swelling in the flexor mass of his left elbow, but it's nothing that will require surgery or even an extended absence. He should be activated from the disabled list soon after his 15 days are up.

Franklin Morales underwent an MRI Monday afternoon on his strained left forearm.

Morales was placed on the disabled list over the weekend, a little over a week after being acquired from the Rockies for a player to be named later. The results of the MRI should be available Tuesday and will give the Red Sox an idea of how long the lefty could be out.

Red Sox placed LHP Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm.

Well, that didn't take long. Morales was acquired from the Rockies just over a week ago and pitched in only two games before a trip to the disabled list was required. It's not clear at this point how long he might be out. Michael Bowden replaces him on the roster.

The Red Sox are hoping newly acquired LHP Franklin Morales can be the second lefty out of their bullpen.

"If we can get him to repeat his delivery and throw strikes he can be tough to hit," were the words of GM Theo Epstein. "We're going to use him as the second lefty and see if we can capture his upside." Morales posted an 11/8 K/BB ratio over his first 14 innings of work this season, holding hitters to a .204 average, though lefties have been hitting .250 off of him. There's no guarantee he'll be able to stick in Boston after failing in Colorado.

Red Sox acquired LHP Franklin Morales from the Rockies for a player to be named later or cash.

The Rockies grew tired of Morales' control problems and will ship him off to Boston for a minor prospect. The 25-year-old has plenty of talent and could turn his career around with a change of scenery. He had posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 innings this year out of the Colorado bullpen.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox are nearing a trade for Franklin Morales.

Abraham is providing no further details and the deal is not being reported by another outlet, but the 2011 season's first big trade could be close. Morales, 25, has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 innings this season out of the Rockies' bullpen. He also has the ability to start.

The Rockies are measuring trade interest in Franklin Morales and Felipe Paulino.

The Rox are fed up with both pitchers, but they're both out of options and they don't want to lose them without getting anything in return. Morales hasn't been that bad this season, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while striking out 11 in 14 innings, but he continues to have control problems, walking eight. The left-hander has generated interested from at least one NL Central team.

Franklin Morales returned to action on Saturday April 16.

Franklin Morales (ankle) has been cleared for return to action.

Morales injured his right ankle while trying to cover first base Thursday, but it didn't take him long to recover. He'll go back to pitching the middle innings.

Franklin Morales left Thursday's game against the Mets in the sixth inning with a right ankle injury.

Morales ran over to cover the first base bag and had his ankle stepped on by Willie Harris, who was able to beat out an infield single on a curious call by the first base umpire. The southpaw threw one warm-up pitch, but was unable to continue. He was replaced by Matt Belisle.

Rockies recalled LHP Franklin Morales from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Morales was 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA for Colorado earlier this season but he produced a 2.67 ERA and 10.1 K/9 rate at Triple-A. His control, as always, needs to be monitored. He had a 15/18 K/BB rate with the Rockies and a 5.6 BB/9 in the minors.

The Rockies will recall Franklin Morales from Triple-A Colorado Springs before Friday's game.

The Rox need help in the pen with Manny Corpas' injury. Morales has struggled for Colorado this season but holds a 2.67 ERA and 10.1 K/9 rate at Triple-A. However, he has failed to iron out his control issues in the minors (5.6 BB/9).

Rockies optioned LHP Franklin Morales to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Morales really struggled since returning from the DL, posting a 7.56 ERA in 10 June outings. The walks have been particularly ugly, with seven in 8 1/3 innings this month and 15 in 19 1/3 frames this year. He'll try to iron out his problems at Triple-A. Esmil Rogers has been recalled to take his place.

Rockies activated LHP Franklin Morales from the 15-day disabled list.

Morales tossed five scoreless innings over two appearances in a minor league rehab appearance with Triple-A Colorado Springs. He returns to a 4.09 ERA over 12 appearances this season, but Manny Corpas should continue to get save chances until Huston Street returns later this month.