Red Sox activate RHP Scott Atchison from 60-day DL
Left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales transferred to 60-day disabled list
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today activated right-handed pitcher Scott Atchison from the 60-day disabled list. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. With the move, the club’s active Major League roster is at 32.
The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.
Atchison, 36, had been placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 15 (retroactive to July 14) with a right elbow strain and was transferred to the 60-day DL on August 16. He tossed 2.1 scoreless innings over two games on rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket, last pitching on Thursday when he earned the win over the Yankees Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate in Game 2 of the International League semi-finals (1.1 IP). The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.76 ERA (9 ER) in 37 appearances out of the bullpen this season, with 34 strikeouts compared to just nine walks over 46.0 innings. At the time he was placed on the DL, he was leading Red Sox relief qualifiers in ERA. In 150 career Major League appearances (1 start) over parts of six Major League seasons with the Mariners (2004-05), Giants (2007) and Red Sox (2010-12), Atchison is 7-7 with one save, a 3.57 ERA (81 ER/204.1 IP), 162 strikeouts and 59 walks. His 2.36 ERA (20 ER/76.1 IP) since the start of 2011 is the ninth-lowest mark among American League hurlers with at least 75.0 innings in that stretch.
The 26-year-old Morales was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 28 (retroactive to August 24) with left shoulder inflammation. In 37 appearances this season he is 3-4 with one save, a 3.77 ERA (32 ER/76.1 IP) and 76 strikeouts. In nine starts, all since June 17, the left-hander is 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA (21 ER/45.2 IP) and 47 strikeouts. Originally signed by the Rockies as an international free agent in 2002, Morales has appeared in 175 Major League games (24 starts) over parts of six seasons with Colorado (2007-11) and Boston (2011-12), going 11-16 with 11 saves and a 4.36 ERA (124 ER/256.0 IP).