MLB Player News

Franklin's recent demotion to Triple-A Durham is not a reflection on his performance with the big league club, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old actually performed well during his six-week stay with the Rays, slashing .313/.377/.458 over 48 at-bats, with a homer and 13 RBI. Franklin's demotion to the minors upon Steve Pearce's return from a DL stint on Monday was largely based on the probability of reduced playing time as a result of several sidelined players getting healthy in the last two weeks. In contrast, Franklin is expected to receive plenty of opportunity at Triple-A Durham, including in the outfield. "Right now we're getting a little crunched in the outfield, and finding him time in the infield would be difficult, also," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Giavotella is not in the lineup Tuesday against Texas.

Giavotella will sit for the second time in five games as Gregorio Petit makes the start at second and bats ninth. Giavotella is 1-for-11 (.091) with three strikeouts in three starts since the All-Star break.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with his 25th stolen base of the season and a run scored during Monday's 7-4 loss at Oakland.

After hitting .420/.496/.620 in June, Altuve has cooled down considerably in July (.296/.328/.426), but he's still producing from a fantasy standpoint. The four-time All-Star has a prime match up Tuesday against A's southpaw Dillon Overton.

Franklin was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Franklin hit a pinch-hit RBI double and stole a base in Monday's game, but that didn't stop him from getting optioned in order to make room on the 25-man roster for Steve Pearce, who will be activated Tuesday. The second baseman has slashed .313/.377/.458 in the majors, so he's sure to be at the top of the Rays' list of potential call-ups.

Marte is under the weather and out of Monday's lineup, Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com reports.

Marte will see the team doctor and could potentially be available off the bench Monday if everything checks out. Expect him to return to the lineup as soon as he's feeling better.

Altuve went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Seattle.

The diminutive dynamo came out of the gates after the All-Star break relatively slow by his standards, with two hits in seven at-bats, but he exploded Sunday and ultimately decided the game with a two-run bomb to left in the third inning. The four hits raised his batting average to .346, and he continues to serve as one of the most valuable fantasy assets available.

Semien went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Semien cranked out his 20th homer of the year to get the Athletics on the board in the sixth inning of a home loss. He's now blasted four long balls in 13 July games and is slugging .475 on the season.

Marte, who was injured Friday for the second time this season while sliding into a base, will begin a training plan to learn a better sliding technique, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Marte suffered a sprained right ankle sliding into third base. He missed 13 games earlier this season because of a sprained left thumb suffered on a slide at second base. The Mariners plan to work with him so he can slide more effectively. "We've got to tighten up Ketel's sliding," manager Scott Servais said. "It's an issue. His technique is poor. That's where the injuries have come from. If you're going to play every day in this league, you have to be able to do the fundamental things the game requires. Sliding is one of them." Marte's latest injury was mild, and he returned Sunday.

Marte (ankle) is in the lineup at shortstop and batting ninth Sunday against the Astros.

Marte suffered a mild ankle sprain in Friday's series opener and was forced to miss Saturday's game, but after testing out the injury in the field and during batting practice Sunday, he's been cleared to return. The fact that the Mariners are using Marte at his usual shortstop post rather than at DH suggests that the injury isn't compromising his lateral quickness too much. He'll likely be on tap for a full slate of starts this week.

Giavotella is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Though he recently had the benefit of extended time off due to the All-Star break, Giavotella hasn't been a high-performing lineup regular for the Angels, so he'll still be subjected to a day off or two every week. Gregorio Petit will fill in for Giavotella at second base Sunday.