Red Sox agree to terms with left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales on one-year contract

BOSTON, MA -- The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration.  Terms were not disclosed.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.    

Morales, who was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rockies on May 19, 2011, appeared in a career-high 50 games overall last year between Boston and Colorado, and also set career marks in innings pitched (46.1), strikeouts (42) and holds (10) while compiling a 3.69 ERA (19 ER/46.1 IP).  The 25-year-old lefty pitched in 36 games for the Red Sox out of the bullpen and held opponents scoreless in 28 of those contests.  Signed by the Rockies as an international free agent in 2002, Morales has appeared in 138 Major League games (15 starts) over parts of five seasons with Colorado (2007-11) and Boston (2011), and gone 8-12 with 10 saves and a 4.61 ERA (92 ER/179.2 IP).