MLB Player News

Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin was back for Seattle in Monday's game against Houston. He returned after missing Sunday's game due to a knee to the back of his head. Franklin returned to go 1 for 3 with a single and a walk in the game. He's batting .221 on the year.

Mariners infielder Nick Franklin returned to action on Monday versus Houston. Franklin had missed Sunday's game after being kneed in the back of the head Saturday. Franklin returns with a .220 batting average, 12 homers, 43 RBI and six stolen bases over 313 at-bats for Seattle. 

Mariners infielder Nick Franklin is out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays. Franklin was kneed in the back of the head by Justin Smoak during a defensive play in Saturday's game and could be feeling the effects of the collision.

Franklin has hit .220/.292/.396 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and six stolen bases in 313 at-bats.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was able to make his return to the lineup on Friday in Anaheim. Returning from a back issue, Andrus was able to go deep against the Halos.

Andrus homered in the seventh inning off starter C.J. Wilson as the Angels won the game anyway. Andrus' second HR of the season was a solo shot with two outs. He finished 2 for 5 on the night with two RBI.

Andrus, who is batting .265 for the season, played his first game in September since dealing with the back injury. He was red hot to close out August.

Royals second baseman Johnny Giavotella is in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Mariners.

Giavotella will replace Chris Getz at second. Giavotella is hitting .206/.289/.265 in just 34 at-bats. 

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who missed his fourth straight game Wednesday due to back tightness, expects to be back his team's starting lineup Friday to open a series against the Angels.

"I’m good to go," Andrus told the Dallas Morning News Wednesday. "I kind of knew I wouldn’t play [Wednesday]. They were trying to give me one more game and as much rest as possible. We have the day off and after that I’ll be ready to play."

Andrus finished August with a .303/.353/.394 line along with one home run, 16 RBI, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases in 109 at-bats.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus remained out of action Wednesday against Oakland, MLB.com reports. It was the fourth straight game he's missed due to tightness in his back.

Andrus remains day to day for the Rangers. He is batting .263 on the season with 49 RBI, 75 runs scored and 35 stolen bases. 

The Rangers continued to play without shortstop Elvis Andrus Tuesday in Oakland. He is day to day due to back stiffness and has missed the last three games, MLB.com. Andrus is hitting .263/.324/.315 this year.

The Kansas City Royals promoted the following six players to the roster Tuesday before a game against Seattle, the Kansas City Star reports. 

As expected, Louis Coleman and Wade Davis have rejoined the bullpen from Class A Wilmington. The Royals also promoted for Triple-A Omaha players as infielder Johnny Giavotella and reliever Donnie Joseph were recalled and Carlos Pena and Pedro Ciriaco had their contracts purchased. 

Kansas City cleared space on the 40-man roster by moving pitcher Noel Arguelles to the 60-day disabled list and designating infielder Edinson Rincon for assignment. Rincon was at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had an excellent afternoon in a losing effort Monday against Minnesota. Altuve recorded four hits for Houston in the 10-6 loss.

Altuve, who also stole his 31st base of the season, went 4 for 5 with four singles. He scored twice and drove in a run for the Astros in the game. Altuve is batting .275.

The 23-year-old has gone 8 for 13 over a three-game hit streak with seven singles and one double. He's 31 for 40 on stolen base attempts this year with 43 RBI.