MLB Player News

Motter has made the Mariners' 25-man roster, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The versatile 27-year-old parlayed a strong spring into a spot on the Opening Day roster. Motter hit .293 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI over 70 plate appearances this spring after a forgettable cup of coffee with the Rays last season when he slashed just .188/.290/.300. His ability to play up to seven positions and Shawn O'Malley's current absence due to a recent appendectomy likely helped seal the deal for Motter, who is also a stolen-base threat and has three seasons with more than 20 thefts on his minor-league resume.

The Mariners signed Beckham to a minor-league deal Friday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

The second baseman was granted his release by the Giants last week after putting up a weak spring line (.194/.268/.250 in 36 at-bats). Beckham will serve as organizational infield depth and could see major-league time later in the season.

Altuve went 1-for-2 with his first spring home run in Thursday's exhibition game against the Cubs.

Altuve has settled back into training camp after a stint with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He's hit in five straight games, a stretch that includes four extra-base hits and four RBI. He hit third in the batting order, the spot in which he hit most often last season when he posted a career-high 96 RBI.

Semien, who was 0-for-3 against the Royals on Monday in his return from an illness, went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 15-12 Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Semien, who blasted a career-best 27 homers in 2016, launched only his second round-tripper of spring off Cubs starter John Lackey in the third inning. The 26-year-old brings plenty of pop but will look to improve his 22.4 percent strikeout rate from 2016 in the coming season.

Giavotella will begin the season with Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

The 29-year-old was in the running for a reserve infield spot with Baltimore, but his .701 OPS ultimately wasn't enough to warrant a spot on the 40-man roster. Giavotella will likely spend a good amount of time in the minors, although his major-league experience could help him be one of the first players called up if someone in the major-league infield gets injured or falters significantly.

Franklin (illness) will start at second base and bat eighth in the order in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin was scratched from Tuesday's lineup while he dealt with the illness, but the Rays never expected him to require much recovery time. Though he'll start Wednesday, Franklin won't have a path to an everyday role to begin the season with Brad Miller expected to occupy the keystone more often than not. However, Franklin's ability to play just about everywhere on the diamond as well as the corner outfield should help him find a handful of at-bats every week.

Franklin was scratched from the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins due to an illness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin's removal from the lineup looks precautionary, so he shouldn't need more than a day or two to recover. The 26-year-old won't have an everyday starting role to begin the season, but with the ability to play every position save for catcher and center field, Franklin could still find his way to two or three starts per week, even when the team is relatively healthy.

Semien (illness) will start at shorstop and bat in the cleanup spot for Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Semien was held out the past two days with an illness, but there was never much concern that he'd be sidelined for long. The 26-year-old is expected to lock down a spot in the heart of the order for the Athletics after slugging 27 homers and 27 doubles in 2016.

Gonzalez has been told he won't make Minnesota's final 25-man roster, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Gonzalez hit .371 (13-for-35) and made a strong impression in spring training. He could be called up early in the season if the Twins need a utility infielder.

Fontana was optioned to the minors Friday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

The 25-year-old had a nice spring, batting .270 with a home run and eight RBI in 37 at-bats. The Angels already have their middle infield set with Andrelton Simmons, Danny Espinosa and Cliff Pennington all healthy, leaving no room for the rookie shortstop. Fontana will start the year with Triple-A Salt Lake and should be the first to get the call to the majors should any of the aforementioned players go down to injury.