Red Sox Activate Morales, Place Snyder On DL, Recall Middlebrooks

BOSTON (CBS) – The Red Sox announced several roster moves Saturday, activating relief pitcher Franklin Morales from the disabled list, placing infielder Brandon Snyder on the DL with an elbow injury and recalling third baseman Will Middlebrooks from Pawtucket.

To make room for Morales on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Pedro Beato was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after Friday night's game, the Red Sox reported Saturday in a prepared statement.

Middlebrooks will fill Snyder's slot on the 25-man roster.

Morales, a 27-year-old left-hander, had been on the 15-day disabled list since June 25. He allowed just one hit with no walks and six strikeouts over 5.1 innings during a four-game rehab stint, including three games with Triple-A Pawtucket and one with Double-A Portland. Morales, who began the season on the 15-day disabled list with a low back strain, has made six appearances for the Red Sox in 2013, going 2-0 with a 7.30 ERA with just over 12 innings pitched.

Middlebrooks, 24, is returning for his second major league stint of the year. The right-handed hitter was optioned to Pawtucket on June 25 after struggling to make consistent contact at the plate. With Pawtucket this season, he is batting .269 (47-for-175) with five doubles, 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 16 walks, and 25 runs scored. He hit safely in his last eight games for the PawSox, hitting .333 (11-for-33) with a double, two homers, and five RBI.

In 53 games with Boston to begin the season, Middlebrooks went 39-for-203 (.192) with 13 doubles, nine home runs, 25 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

The 26-year-old Beato has appeared in 10 games for the Red Sox, all in relief, over four major league stints this season. He is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

After being recalled from Pawtucket on June 25, Snyder appeared in 21 games for the Red Sox, including 10 starts, all at third base. The 26-year-old is 9-for-43 (.209) with three doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI for Boston.