Morales had his contract selected by the Royals on Sunday.

Morales was previously noted as being in contention for one of the final two bullpen spots, and it's now official that they have been awarded to him and veteran Ryan Madson. Considering the depth of the Kansas City bullpen, Morales is unlikely to pitch in high-leverage situations in the short term.

Manager Ned Yost said Thursday that Morales is the favorite to win one of the Royals' final two bullpen spots, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports.

Morales, who signed a minor league deal last month, struggled with the Rockies in 2014, but he's a reliable arm capable of handling a heavy workload, so he's among the Royals' more dependable, from a durability standpoint, options heading into 2015. In six appearances this spring, Morales has scattered seven hits and four earned runs, including one home run, over 8.0 innings.

Morales signed a minor league contract with the Royals on Thursday that includes an invite to spring training.

Morales' 2014 campaign played out similarly to his previous five seasons with Colorado, as he was clobbered to the tune of a 5.37 ERA and 1.5 HR/9. However, he did hold up to a 142.1-inning workload, nearly double his previous career high, and will provide Kansas City with cheap rotation insurance.

Morales will be dropped from the rotation for his final two scheduled starts of the season, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

Morales' removal from a starting role would suggest the Rockies likely have no plans on bringing him back in 2015. Though he's pitched better in more recent weeks, Morales still owns an ugly 5.32 ERA and 1.61 WHIP, and has given up 24 homers over 138.2 innings. Yohan Flande will assume Morales' spot in the rotation beginning Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Morales worked six scoreless innings in Sunday's victory over the Padres, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Morales followed up this past Monday's miserable outing versus the Giants with pretty much his best effort of the season. The 28-year-old southpaw has been anything but consistent over his last four starts, as he has put together two impressive performances to go with a couple of clunkers. Morales is expected to be back on the bump Saturday in St. Louis, but he is just simply too unpredictable to merit much fantasy consideration outside of NL-Only format.

Morales was horrendous while not factoring into the decision in Monday's 10-9 win over the Giants, giving up seven runs over 4.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and walked four batters in the outing.

After limiting the Giants to one run over six innings his last time out Wednesday, Morales perhaps unsurprisingly flipped the script when the two teams met at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Morales immediately put himself in an early hole, giving up a three-run homer to Hunter Pence in the first inning, the 22nd long ball he's allowed this season. With a 5.46 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 128.2 innings this season, Morales has done little to merit a rotation spot, so it wouldn't be a surprising if he was pushed to the bullpen in favor of either Chad Bettis, Eddie Butler, or Juan Nicasio at some point in September.

Morales gave up a run on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings against the Giants on Wednesday.

Morales pitched well enough to win, but was out-dueled by Tim Hudson on Wednesday. The game would ultimately be decided when Buster Posey un-broke the tie with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. Despite the solid outing, Morales has had a disappointing season with a bloated 5.14 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 124.1 innings. He'll face the Giants and Tim Hudson again Monday, but this time at home.

Morales (5-7) saw his ERA jump up to 5.32 on the season after he took the loss on Friday against the Marlins, pitching four innings while giving up six runs on eight hits.

It was an ugly night for Morales who had previously strung together some decent outings as a starter and reliever before Friday's doozie of a game. Morales is currently scheduled to pitch in San Francisco next Wednesday, but the Rockies may want to shuffle their rotation up at this point with nothing to play for in 2014.

Morales (personal) returned to the Rockies for Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds, tossing two innings in relief in Game 1. He gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the appearance.

Morales was scratched from Friday's start in anticipation of the birth of his child, resulting in middle reliever Matt Belisle taking the ball for the Rockies. Though he pitched out of the bullpen in his return, Morales still seems to have a grasp on the starting role, even though his 5.04 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 21 homers allowed over 114.1 innings would hardly seem to warrant it. Even so, don't be surprised if the Rockies skip his next turn in the rotation with the team having two off days this week.

Morales will not start Friday against the Reds.

Matt Belisle will instead toe the rubber in the opener against Cincinnati, with Morales leaving to attend to the birth of his child. He could end up on the paternity list, but Morales figures to miss just the one start.

Morales held the Diamondbacks to three runs (two earned) over six innings, but came away with a no decision Sunday.

With the solid turn, Morales was able to bring his ERA under 5.00 for the season, but he's still far from a reliable starting pitching option. He's struck out only 75 batters and has given up 20 homers in 112.1 innings.

Morales will start Sunday's game against Arizona, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

With the Rockies awaiting the results of an MRI for Brett Anderson, the only question with Morales was a matter of when he'd slot back into the Colorado rotation as a temporary replacement. He may be a viable streaming option Sunday against an Arizona lineup depleted by Paul Goldschmidt's broken hand and the departure of Gerardo Parra and Martin Prado at the trade deadline.

Morales is expected to return to the Rockies' rotation, after Brett Anderson suffered back spasms in Tuesday's start and is likely headed for the disabled list as a result.

The Rockies had announced earlier in the day that Yohan Flande would remain in the rotation at the expense of Morales, but he'll likely once again be appointed to a starting role due to attrition more than merit. Staying healthy has been Morales' greatest attribute this season, as his 5.08 ERA and 1.58 WHIP would probably have prompted the Rockies to drop him from their 40-man roster long ago, if not for a slew of injuries to their starting staff. Morales stepped in to help out in long relief following Anderson's short outing Tuesday, allowing his team-leading 20th home run in his three innings. Look for him to make his return to the rotation Sunday vs. the Diamondbacks.

Morales has been moved back to the bullpen, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Yohan Flande is now listed as the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Cubs, with Morales headed back to the bullpen after five turns in the rotation. In 103.1 innings this season, Morales has posted a 5.14 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and .291 BAA, but he'll likely remain the Rockies' top spot-start and injury-replacement option.

Morales allowed three runs on six hits, walking four and striking out two over six innings of a 4-2 loss to Detroit on Friday night.

Morales (5-6, 5.14 ERA) again struggled with command needing 94 pitches (57 for strikes) to cover the six innings. He's now issued nine free passes in his last two starts, and he's lucky this one didn't get ugly putting so many men on base against a volatile Detroit offense. He'll get a favorable match-up against the Cubs next time out, but it will be in Coors Field and he is an extremely risky play right now.

Franklin Morales allowed just two runs but walked five over four innings in Sunday's no-decision against the Pirates.

Morales needed 99 pitches to get 12 outs, as the Pirates also collected six hits against the left-hander before he departed. Morales has just two wins since April as he's shuttled between the bullpen and the starting rotation, owning a 5.18 ERA and 1.61 WHIP on the year. He'll face the Tigers on Friday, but fantasy owners have no reason to take notice of his schedule at this point.

Franklin Morales allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings in a no-decision as the Rockies fell to the Dodgers on Thursday.

Morales, making his first start since May 31, pitched well in opposition to Zack Greinke. The lefty replaced the injured Jhoulys Chacin in the rotation. Morales allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out four in the effort. He sports a 5.51 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP, and a 56/33 K/BB ratio. He'll start against the Padres at home next week. While he is a poor fantasy option, the light-hitting Padres do make him an interesting one-off candidate.

Franklin Morales will take Jhoulys Chacin's (shoulder) spot in the Rockies' rotation on Thursday against the Dodgers.

Morales has been awful in the rotation this season, putting up a 6.13 ERA over 11 outings. However, unless they want to promote Jonathan Gray (and it's clear at this point that they don't), the options are limited. Morales can be avoided in fantasy circles.

Franklin Morales has been moved to the Rockies' bullpen.

He's clearing space for Eddie Butler, who will join the rotation on Friday. The move comes as no surprise, as Morales holds a 6.03 ERA on the season. He should fare well in a middle relief role.

Franklin Morales was shelled for six runs in 5 1/3 innings Saturday in a no-decision versus the Indians.

Cleveland didn't pull ahead until the eighth inning, so Morales avoided his fifth loss. He has a brutal 6.03 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 62 2/3 frames this year and should remain ignored in fantasy leagues for his next outing at home (Coors Field) against the Dodgers.