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Scott Atchison, Rich Hill Expected Back for Red Sox, With Franklin Morales Coming Into Spring Training as Starter

Most of the offseason focus for the Red Sox is on adding new members to the pitching staff, but the team still could bring back some familiar faces.

Relievers Scott Atchison and Rich Hill, who were both released Friday, aren’t necessarily off the Red Sox’ radar. General manager Ben Cherington said Saturday that both would be offered minor league contracts and invited to spring training, according to The Boston Globe.

That’s a common move for teams looking to bring players back, but not necessarily under the same salary requirements as if they were offered a tendered contract by the deadline. Both Atchison and Hill have had injury struggles while in Boston.

Cherington also said Franklin Morales will come into spring training prepared to be a starter. Morales flip-flopped between starting and relieving last season, and while Cherington said he could do both or either again this season, Morales will get to begin with the mindset of starting.

“You can always go back [to the bullpen] more readily,” Farrell said, according to the Globe. “What he did in the rotation last year for the time he was there was very impressive.”

In nine starts for Boston in 2012, Morales pitched 46 innings and allowed 21 earned runs, including two starts where he allowed no earned runs.