Franklin Morales (back) is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance Monday with Double-A Portland.

Morales allowed one hit and two walks over three scoreless innings Wednesday in his first rehab appearance with Low-A Greenville. He's scheduled to piggyback John Lackey on Monday and could be an option for the rotation if Lackey suffers any sort of setback.

Franklin Morales (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Greenville on Wednesday.

Morales has been dealing with a back injury since early on in spring training, but he's obviously made notable strides of late. He's expected to be stretched out as a starter in the minors and could be an option for Boston's rotation eventually.

Franklin Morales (back) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Double-A Portland.

Franklin Morales (back) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.

Morales isn't anywhere close to being an option to replace John Lackey (bicep) and still doesn't have a timetable to begin a rehab assignment. The Red Sox aren't sure how long he'll be sidelined He remains out indefinitely.

Franklin Morales (back) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday.

Morales is making some progress in his recovery from a strained lower back. It's unclear how long he'll be out, but it seems like he should be ready for a rehab assignment shortly as long as he can avoid a setback.

Red Sox placed LHP Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with a bulging disk in his lower back.

Morales missed most of spring training with the injury, but he resumed throwing from a mound Saturday. Still, it's not clear how long he'll be sidelined.

Franklin Morales (back) threw a bullpen session Saturday.

It's the first time he's thrown off a mound since being shut down earlier this month. The Red Sox will have Morales pitch in extended spring training games before he beings a minor league rehab assignment. He should return for the early part of 2013.

Franklin Morales (back) is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday.

This will be his first time throwing off a mound since being shut down with a bulging disk in his back earlier this month. Barring any setbacks, the 27-year-old could make his way back to Boston's bullpen in the early part of the season.

Franklin Morales (back) played catch from 60 feet Monday.

He'll do the same thing again in a couple days. Morales received an epidural last week for a bulging disk in his back, but it's unclear at this point whether he'll be ready for game action before the Grapefruit League schedule runs out. He'll obviously begin the year on the DL.

Franklin Morales (back) ran in the pool on Friday and hopes to resume throwing by the middle of next week.

Morales received an epidural on Monday to address a bulging disk in his back. He's already feeling much better, but will likely begin the season on the disabled list.

Franklin Morales has received an injection for a bulging disc in his back.

If the injection does its job, Morales should be able to resume throwing before long. He's unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, however.

Franklin Morales was sent to Boston on Wednesday to have his back examined by a specialist.

The Red Sox are hoping to get some answers by the end of the day Thursday. Morales had to shift gears on his spring throwing program last week due to lower back soreness.

Franklin Morales has had to back off his throwing program after feeling continued tightness in his lower back.

Morales had been long-tossing from 90 feet when he had to shut things down again. It's not clear at this point when he'll resume throwing, and at this point it's looking unlikely that he'll be ready by Opening Day.

Franklin Morales (back) is scheduled to play catch Thursday.

Morales has been sidelined since Saturday with soreness in his lower back. There's still enough time for him to get ready for Opening Day, but the next few days will be telling.

There is no timetable for Franklin Morales' (lower back) return to mound workouts.

Morales has been sidelined since Saturday with soreness in his lower back. The Red Sox are calling him day-to-day.

Franklin Morales is day-to-day with lower back soreness.

Morales and Jared Saltalamacchia are dealing with back stiffness, but neither are expected to miss significant time. Both should return Grapefruit League action by early next week.

Franklin Morales will be stretched out as a starter during spring training.

Though the five spots in the Red Sox rotation are currently occupied, both Morales and Alfredo Aceves will be stretched out during spring camp to provide alternatives. The young lefty posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over nine starts in 2012 while striking out over a batter per inning and possesses upside in fantasy leagues should he win a rotation spot.

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports that a few teams contacted the Red Sox about Franklin Morales over the offseason.

Cafardo adds that additional clubs "have him on their list of pitchers to watch closely in spring training." Morales is slated for long relief with the Red Sox this season, but other teams could view him as a rotation candidate. He made nine starts for Boston last season, posting a 4.14 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while striking out over a batter per inning.

Red Sox and LHP Franklin Morales avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4875 million contract.

The 26-year-old swingman is coming off a strong 2012 season in which he compiled a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 76/30 K/BB ratio over 76 1/3 innings. He'll head into spring training as a starter, and is well worth a late-round flyer in fantasy leagues due to his high strikeout potential.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Saturday that Franklin Morales will open spring training as a starter.

Morales was used primarily as a reliever last season, but ended up finishing the year in the starting rotation. He posted a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 76/30 K/BB ratio in 76 1/3 innings before being shut down with a shoulder injury in September. John Lackey (elbow) is also expected to be available for the start of spring training.