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.