MLB Player News

The Royals recalled infielder Johnny Giavotella from Triple-A Omaha Saturday, after designating outfielder Jeff Francoeur for assignment. 

Giavotella has hit .242 in 359 at-bats for the Royals in 2011 and 2012, but was hitting .289 with an .801 OPS at Triple-A prior to his call-up. 

Mariners infielder Nick Franklin missed Saturday's game against Chicago due to a stiff neck, MLB.com reports. He is day to day. 

Franklin is available, if needed, against the Cubs, according to manager Eric Wedge. The 22-year-old has continued to hit for Seattle. He's 9 for 23 (.391) over his last five games with three RBI. 

Mariners rookie second baseman Nick Franklin had another big performance Saturday against the A's. After driving in three runs Friday on his fourth home run, Franklin drove in three more runs Saturday, including a two-run single in the eighth inning that helped Seattle secure a 7-5 win.

Franklin is hitting .295 since his promotion from the majors in late May, and he's batting .341 (15 for 44) with two home runs, four doubles and 10 RBI in his last 11 games.

"You've seen players like that in the past, they keep playing up to the level and usually they're players of his personality," manager Eric Wedge said, per MLB.com. "Confident, they walk tall, they have the ultimate belief in themselves and their entire game. They see where their career is going before it even happens. I think (Franklin) qualifies for that."

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham is not starting a game for the first time since returning on June 3 from a hamate bone fracture, the Chicago Tribune reports. Beckham is sitting to begin Saturday's game against the Royals. 

The White Sox have off days coming up Monday and Thursday and any soreness Beckham is feeling should be able to subside by then. 

Beckham has gone 11 for 38 (.289) over his last 10 games with three doubles, an RBI and five runs scored. 

Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin went deep in the third inning of Friday's game against Oakland. Franklin took starter Bartolo Colon yard for a three-run shot.

Franklin finished 1 for 4 in the game with three RBI and is batting .277.

The 22-year-old has at least one base hit in nine of his last 10 games and has gone 12 for 39 (.308) over that stretch with two homers and seven RBI.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said a move to the leadoff spot May 18 has been the primary cause of Elvis Andrus' extended slump, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Andrus had five hits in his first game as a leadoff hitter, bated .189 with a .265 on-base percentage while batting leadoff, through June 15. Even a move down to the No. 2 spot has not been able to stop his slide, as his overall batting average since that five-hit game is just .170, ranking him 99th out of 100 hitters in the American League with at least 90 plate-appearances.

"He wanted to be the igniter," Washington said. "He started taking pitches and all of a sudden he’s down 0-1, 0-2. And then he’s just fighting to stay alive. He dug himself a hole, but I think the shovels are gone now."

Andrus has seen the majority of his time in the No. 2 spot in his career, putting up a .692 OPS in 1,462 at-bats, but that number is down to .570 in 184 at-bats this season.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had three hits and three stolen bases in a loss to the Brewers Wednesday.

Altuve went 3 for 4, all singles, and scored Houston's only run in a 3-1 loss. He stole third base and second twice and has 16 steals to go with a .295 batting average. 

The 23-year-old has seven stolen bases in his last seven games. 

Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin extended his hitting streak to seven games Tuesday against the Angels with a 1-for-4 performance. Franklin is batting .370 (10 for 27) with one home run, one stolen base, three doubles, three RBI, three walks and three runs in his last seven games.

Franklin's batting average has gone from .250 to .296 during his recent seven-game surge.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus sat out for the second time in seven games Tuesday against the Athletics, but it gave him time to assess his offensive struggles. Since a five-hit performance May 18 against the Tigers, Andrus is batting .171 (18 for 105) in his last 26 games, dropping his average to .241.

"I just need to stay back on the ball," Andrus said, per ESPN, "And use my hands."

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is not in lineup Tuesday against the Athletics.

Andrus will be replaced by Jurickson Profar, who will hit second against Jarrod Parker. With Ian Kinsler back, the team will be able to give Andrus a few more days of rest, as it can rotate middle infielders. Andrus is hitting .241/.294/.287 in 282 at-bats.