MLB Player News

Franco isn't starting Monday against the Mariners, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Franco will get a breather for the first time since July 19 after he went 6-for-11 with two triples, a double, four RBI and three runs across the last three games. Joey Wendle will start at shortstop and bat fifth.

Franco went 2-for-3 with a run scored Sunday in the Rays' 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

After turning in his third consecutive two-hit performance, Franco's batting average is now up to a palatable .250 through his first 30 games in the big leagues. The Rays' ample depth in the infield makes predicting the team's everyday lineup a difficult endeavor, but Franco status as a switch hitter will put him less at risk of falling into a platoon than the likes of Joey Wendle, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe.

Cleveland optioned Chang to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Rather than Chang, Cleveland will keep Owen Miller around as a short-side platoon partner at first base with the lefty-hitting Bobby Bradley, who was reinstated from the bereavement list Monday in a corresponding move. Chang appeared in 11 games during his latest stint in the big leagues, going 7-for-29 with three runs and two RBI.

General manager Dayton Moore acknowledged Monday that the Royals can't realistically count on Mondesi (oblique) to handle an everyday role in 2022 in light of his injury history, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports. "No. You can't [count on Mondesi playing every day]...We're learning that we're going to have to manage his workloads in ways that he may not be a guy that plays more than 100 games...We can't count on him as an everyday player."

Given the overwhelming positivity GMs tend to express about players like Mondesi who are viewed as cornerstone pieces for their franchises, Moore's admission is surprising, and probably a fair assessment at this stage. Residing on the injured list for the third time this season, Mondesi hasn't played since June 20 due to a left oblique strain, after he previously missed action with a right oblique strain and a left hamstring strain. Mondesi also required surgery on his left shoulder in the 2019-20 offseason, but the slew of lower-half injuries he's dealt with in 2021 are probably the greater concern for his long-term outlook, given how reliant his game is on speed. The 26-year-old is said to be progressing from his latest health-related setback, but the Royals haven't established a timeline for him to begin a rehab assignment, much less return from the 10-day IL.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Wendle has sat twice in three games against a right-handed starting pitcher, with his lack of usage seemingly signaling that he'll be the odd man out more often than not in the crowded Tampa Bay infield. The downturn in playing time comes even while Wendle performed respectably in July, finishing the month with a .304/.328/.429 slash line in 15 games.

Chang is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Owen Miller will step in at first base for Chang, who started each of the past three games at the position and went 2-for-11 with a triple, a double, two RBI and two runs. Chang's path to regular playing time at first base will likely be blocked soon, as Bobby Bradley (personal) could return from the bereavement list during the upcoming week.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two home runs and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-6 loss to San Francisco.

Diaz was caught up in the homer dome at Oracle Park, as the two teams combined for eight long balls. Since being activated off the injured list, Diaz is 8-for-19 with three home runs, eight RBI and six runs scored. He continues to slot in at third base while Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is on a rehab assignment.

Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks and a two-run home run in Saturday's 9-5 loss to the Rays.

He took Ryan Yarbrough deep in the first inning, helping Boston to an early 3-0 lead that quickly evaporated. It's the shortstop's first homer since the All-Star break and 16th of the season, a good sign that his wrist is feeling better, but Bogaerts is slashing only .220/.292/.341 to begin the second half.

Franco, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, a triple and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Friday, owns a .303/.361/.424 slash line over the 36 plate appearances covering his last eight games.

Arguably just as important is the fact Franco has struck out at a modest 16.7 percent rate in that sample after carrying a more elevated 22.7 percent figure in his first 20 big-league contests. The more consistent contact lends credence to the notion the phenom is quickly adapting to the intricacies of facing big-league arms, just as he did at every minor-league stop during his meteoric rise through the organizational ranks.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over San Franciso.

Diaz's solo shot in the ninth gave Houston breathing room, as the Giants did not fold after falling behind 7-2 in the sixth inning. He's had multiple hits in all three games since being activated off the injured list and will continue as the fill-in at third base for the injured Alex Bregman (quadriceps).