Franklin Morales (back, pectoral) is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list.

Morales threw three innings in his last outing and will stretch it out to four innings Saturday. The lefty would have been activated by now had the Red Sox wanted him as a reliever, but they're stretching him out as a starter in case he's needed in that role. "Well, he'll likely get to four innings [on Saturday], and if we don't change course with his role, we'd like to get him to a minimum of five before we'd look to do something back here," manager John Farrell said.

Franklin Morales (back, pectoral) long-tossed from 120-130 feet out on Thursday for the second straight day.

Morales is on the DL with a back injury but was shut down recently with a pectoral strain. He's symptom-free now, though, and will throw a bullpen session over the weekend. He'll need a couple side sessions before resuming his rehab assignment.

Franklin Morales is experiencing renewed discomfort in his left pectoral muscle.

Morales was scheduled to pitch four innings at Double-A Portland on Wednesday but that has now been pushed back. He's been on the disabled list since spring training and seems unlikely to be ready by the end of April.