Franklin

Morales

Morales is 8-9 with a 3.88 ERA, 112 H and 144/76 K/BB in 130 IP in the California League. He has quite a ways to go with his command, but he possesses excellent stuff for a left-hander and he could become a quality starter for the Rockies in a couple of years.

Morales is up to 160 strikeouts in 137 innings, and he’s allowed just three hits in his last two starts. With Coors Field essentially neutered, it’s time to start thinking of Morales as a quality fantasy prospect.

Morales has been held out of games all spring -- first due to a heart problem, and more recently because of shoulder weakness. The 26-year-old left-hander has enough time to get sufficiently warmed up for the start of the regular season, but he must avoid further setbacks.

“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.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine on Wednesday wouldn’t disclose the reason for the test, but now we know. Regardless, the test came back clean, and Morales is expected to be fine.

Though there’s currently no set date for his return to game action, Morales is throwing again and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine doesn’t seem concerned about the lefty’s ability to be ready by Opening Day. “There’s a plan for him,’’ the manager said. “It’s not unreasonable to think he’s going to be charging hard when the season gets here.’’

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wouldn’t disclose the reason for the test, but said it wasn’t related to his arm. “He felt real good about the results of the exam that he had. He’s a couple of days from resuming his throwing,” said Valentine. Morales is a little behind the other pitchers in camp at this point, but the southpaw shouldn’t need much time to catch up.

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.

The Red Sox are going back to a five-man rotation, which means Aaron Cook will get the nod over Morales. It’s too bad, as the hard-throwing southpaw has been pretty impressive save for a rough outing against the Yankees on July 7. There’s a chance the Red Sox could change their minds if (or when) Cook eventually comes back down to Earth.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine left open the possibility that Beckett could make the start if he threw a bullpen session Friday, but Franklin Morales is now listed as the starter for Sunday. It’s not yet clear if Beckett is merely being pushed back a couple more days or will require a lengthier absence.