MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed that infielder Nick Franklin "will not be ready for Opening Day," according to the Tampa Bay Times. Franklin was scratched from the lineup after suffering a strained oblique on the last swing of batting practice Monday.  

The Rangers are invested in shortstop Elvis Andrus. The veteran is signed through 2022 and after the struggles of last year, general manager Jon Daniels wants to see him move forward, reports MLB.com.

"We invested in him because we thought he was arrow-up. We've been encouraged this winter and this spring by the feeling that he's kind of recommitted, after last year being below his standards.

"We don't see why he can't be one of the best defensive players and baserunners in the game. He controls the bat, he can get on base, do some different things. I don't expect him to hit for power, but I think he can be an impactful player. He's a winning player."

Andrus, a defensive-minded player, was told by manager Jeff Bannister he should be able to win a Gold Glove.

"I'm working on it," Andrus said. "It's easy to say. But you have to go out there and be consistent, especially on routine ground balls. That's one of the things I'm working on right now. I know that if I can make that happen, I would have a chance to win."

Padres manager Bud Black praised the versatility, defense and switch-hitting abilility of infielder Yangervis Solarte Monday, calling him a fit for the National League, U-T San Diego reports.

"We talk about that a lot," Black said. "There really is a difference between the two leagues when you try to construct your bench. He’s a guy that fits that profile. You use two or three bench guys a night in the National League. He gives you the versatility to feel good about making a double switch and lose anything on defense. He gives you the switch hitting component offensively. Mentally he’s on board, if that is the case, where if he doesn’t start a game he’s ready to come in."

Solarte is in the mix to start at third base but should see plenty of action regardless of whether he wins the job. He is 12 for 39 with two doubles and two walks this spring.

Rays infielder Nick Franklin was scratched from the spring lineup Monday after suffering an injury to his left side, the team announced. Franklin was diagnosed with a strained left oblique, per The Tampa Tribune.

Franklin said he suffered the injury on the last swing of batting practice Monday. He doesn't know the timetable for his return, but he thinks his status for Opening Day is in jeopardy.

Earlier Monday, manager Kevin Cash said Franklin will platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe and serve as a backup shortstop to Asdrubal Cabrera, who was named the starting shortstop.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday infielder Nick Franklin, who lost out on the starting shortstop job to Asdrubal Cabrera, will platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe, according to The Tampa Tribune.

Franklin is a switch-hitter, while Forsythe bats right-handed.

Rays manager Kevin Cash made it official Monday, naming Asdrubal Cabrera the team's starting shortstop. He beat out Nick Franklin and Tim Beckham, who were also competing for the starting job this spring.

"I don't think you're going to find a more sure-handed shortstop than Cabby," Cash said.

Cabrera is a two-time All-Star while playing at shortstop. He has spent most of his MLB career at shortstop (731 games). Although, the Rays were considering using him at both shortstop and second base this season before Cash made his announcement Monday.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was one of the most deadly base stealers in baseball last season. This year, manager A.J. Hinch wants to ensure Altuve is being smart on the base paths, not just when he's stealing a base, reports MLB.com.

"Like anything, it's all built on trust," Hinch said. "You want your players to play with freedom, and if they feel like they need to take an extra base they can take an extra base. They have the freedom to play. By no means do I want to put a ton of restrictions on them, but you want to make sure they know the situation."

Baserunning instructor Gary Pettis, who stole 354 bases in his career, is working to help Altuve make smart decisions on the base paths.

"You don't want to run just to steal bases," he said. "A stolen base gets you in scoring position. Now if you rack up numbers doing that, great. You're helping the team and you help yourself also because of the numbers, but you're stealing to get into scoring position. That's what we're doing."

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella, who jammed his thumb on Friday, was scheduled to return to the field for the team on Sunday. 

X-rays on Giavotella's thumb came back negative on Sunday, and he was slated to play in the second half of Sunday's game, per the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher. 

Astros manager A.J. Hinch spoke Saturday about the benefits of having Jose Altuve lead off and George Springer bat second.

"I like that combo," Hinch said, per MLB.com. "Hitting after Altuve, a lot of times it's an RBI situation, even with him on first base or if he steals second or steals third. We need all of our spots to be very, very productive. The batting order, as fascinated as everybody is about it, it's one time through the order and then it's a little more random than people give credit.

"I think for [Springer] to hit in the first inning right behind Altuve, who does a pretty good job of getting on base, he's a real threat behind him to be put in a really good position. When the lineup rolls around with runners on base and the lineup flipping over, I'll take Altuve and Springer with RBI opportunities."

Padres manager Bud Black declared that the third base job is "still open". 

Will Middlebrooks has started more games at the hot corner, but Yangervis Solarte is still a candidate to win the job, Black said, per UT San Diego's Dennis Lin. 

The Padres acquired the 26-year-old Middlebrooks from the Red Sox in a December trade. He's hitting .333, with two home runs and five RBI in 10 games this spring. He's started all 10 at third base and also played third in a split-squad game.

The 27-year-old Solarte was acquired in a trade with the Yankees last July. He's also hitting .333 this spring. Solarte has six starts at third base and three each at second base and first base. 

"The beauty of Solarte is that he’s able to move all over the field," Black said, "and we’ve moved him all over the field. That doesn’t discount the fact that he’s still vying for the spot at third base."