Daniel Bard has been named the Red Sox' No. 5 starter.

Daniel Bard yielded three runs in six innings and struck out seven Friday in a win over the Twins. Not great, but certainly not bad. Bard allowed four hits, with only Justin Morneau's double going for extra bases, and walked three. The Red Sox will probably announce their decision on their two rotation openings within the next couple of days. It's probably going to come down to Bard and Alfredo Aceves for one spot. Felix Doubront isn't necessarily the better option, but the pen would look quite a bit better with either Bard or Aceves in it.

Daniel Bard yielded five runs in six innings Sunday in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays. Bard probably didn't help his case for that rotation spot today. He walked three, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch in the contest. The Jays scored off him in four of his six innings of work.

According to CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and GM Ben Cherington are split on whether Daniel Bard should begin the season in the starting rotation or bullpen. Cherrington is reportedly in favor of Bard in the rotation, with Jose Iglesias and Ryan Lavarnway beginning the season in the minors, whereas Valentine is considering moving Bard to the bullpen, with both Iglesias and Lavarnway on the major league roster. For what it's worth, Bard has struggled in his three Grapefruit league starts this year, going 1-2 with a 7.10 ERA and 6/10 K/BB ratio.

According to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com, one Red Sox staff member has told others outside the organization that Daniel Bard will be headed back to the bullpen and Alfredo Aceves and Felix Doubront will have spots in the starting rotation.

Daniel Bard yielded three runs across five innings Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Bard allowed three hits while walking three and striking out a pair. While he was pretty shaky early on, he retired the final eight hitters he faced and 12 out of the last 14. Still, he has an underwhelming 10/6 K/BB ratio over 12 2/3 innings this spring and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine admitted after the game that the walks are a concern. We still think he'll get a shot in Boston's rotation, but he hasn't been promised a spot yet.

Two scouts told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that they believe moving Daniel Bard to the rotation is a mistake. "Bard should be in the pen,'' the source said. "He's a thrower, not a pitcher. And he's had success in the pen. I'd have made him the closer once (Jonathan) Papelbon left.'' Another scout added that the Red Sox are committed to Bard in the rotation but only for ''maybe half a year.'' Both scouts see Felix Doubront winning the fifth spot in the rotation, with Alfredo Aceves being used in the bullpen.

Daniel Bard was torched for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings by the Cardinals on Thursday. Bard had pitched five scoreless innings this spring, so one bad outing isn't worth getting all up in arms about. Still, with four more walks today, he's up to seven in 7 2/3 innings. That's a bit of a concern, especially with the way his command deteriorated at the end of last year.

Daniel Bard pitched two hitless innings Tuesday in Boston's 5-4 defeat of Baltimore. He walked one and struck out two. The fourth spot in Boston's rotation is likely Bard's to lose, and while he likely would have been more valuable for fantasy purposes as a closer, he has plenty of upside as a starter as well.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Daniel Bard is dealing with some back stiffness, but he doesn't expect it to affect the pitcher's throwing program. Good news, as Bard needs to stay healthy and pitch well in order to lock down a spot in the team's rotation. The former reliever has posted a sparkling 2.88 ERA and 213 strikeouts through the first 197 innings of his major league career, but he hasn't made a start since 2007 back in A-ball.