MLB Player News

Franklin (hamstring) said Friday that he hopes to return this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The fact that Franklin said he "hopes" to return this year implies there's a chance he does not. Franklin suffered a strained hamstring during Thursday's game, which is the type of injury that might threaten to push him to the DL without expanded rosters. He said the hamstring was more sore than he expected Friday morning.

Franklin (hamstring) is not in the lineup Friday against the Orioles, Bill Chastain of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Franklin left Thursday's tilt early with a hamstring strain, and it seems to still be bothering him. It's still unclear how severe the ailment is, so it's unclear how long he'll be sidelined. For Friday night, Alexei Ramirez will man shortstop and bat eighth.

Semien went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Thursday's 14-5 win over the Royals.

Semien helped his teammates pile on as they completed a four-game sweep, capping Oakland's bonanza with a three-run homer in the eighth inning. He also contributed a run-scoring double earlier in the contest, matching his season high for RBI in a single game. Semien's struggled during the second half, but his bat came alive during the Royals series with a pair of homers and 10 RBI. The slugging shortstop now has 25 home runs and 66 RBI on the season -- both career highs -- but is slashing just .235/.296/.436.

Franklin left Thursday's game with a left hamstring strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It looked as though Franklin grabbed as his knee after going to the ground to complete a double play, but the Rays later clarified that it was a hamstring strain that forced him out. Depending on the severity of the strain, Franklin could be out or at least limited for a significant part of the final few weeks.

Franklin left Thursday's game with an apparent knee injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin went to a knee at first base to complete a double play and clutched the knee afterward. Richie Shaffer took the field to replace Franklin, whose status should be clarified ahead of Friday's game.

Forsythe went 2-for-5 with an RBI infield single and run in Wednesdays 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The leadoff man continues to wield a hot bat, now having hit safely in 10 of the 12 games he's played in during the month. Forsythe's .320/.414/.460 line in September is his best during a month this season since his red-hot April.

Altuve left Wednesday's game with right oblique discomfort.

Altuve was lifted after the fourth inning with Tyler White coming into the game at first base, pushing Marwin Gonzalez to second. After doubling in the first inning, Altuve was thrown out trying to steal third base. The Astros are off Thursday before they open a three-game set in Seattle on Friday.

Altuve hit a solo home run in a 3-for-4 game in Tuesday's loss to Texas.

Altuve was off to a slow start in September, with just a .178/.245/.267 batting line and one home run in 11 games. His effort wasn't enough to bring a win to Houston on Tuesday, but if the Astros are going to compete for a playoff spot, they'll need more games like this from Altuve. This marks Altuve's 21st three-hit game of the season, a remarkable feat from one of the American League's foremost MVP candidates.

Polanco went 3-for-4 with a walk, home run, four RBI and two runs in Tuesday's win against the Tigers.

Polanco's two-run shot in the third inning was his second of the season, and his first since May 15. The switch-hitting shortstop hit an impressive .321 in August, but has faltered a bit in September. Before busting out Tuesday, he was hitting just .222 with three RBI and three runs in 36 at-bats this month. Polanco's big game in Detroit may be what he needed to get back on track heading toward the finish line of 2016.

Polanco is not in the lineup Monday against the Tigers.

Polanco had a modest four-game hitting streak prior to Sunday's matchup, but he'll take a day off after batting just .185 over the past seven games. Eduardo Escobar will slide over to shortstop to fill in for him while Miguel Sano slots in at the hot corner to fill out the left side of the infield.