MLB Player News

Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Tomlinson was in competition with veteran Aaron Hill for the Giants' backup infielder spot, but the 26-year-old's remaining minor-league options likely persuaded the club to open the year with Hill. He's proven a solid backup over the past two seasons for San Francisco, slashing .299/.362/.377 with two homers and 10 stolen bases in 284 at-bats, so Tomlinson will likely earn a call-up to the big league club at some point in 2017.

Franklin was designated for assignment by the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Although Franklin followed up a decent 2016 campaign with a strong showing this spring, the Rays simply needed to trim their roster down Saturday with Opening Day approaching. While Franklin offers positional versatility, Topkin notes that the club felt more confident in Daniel Robertson's ability to serve as the backup shortstop. Franklin will now be available on waivers, but could return to the Rays if he goes unclaimed.

Motter has made the Mariners' 25-man roster, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The versatile 27-year-old parlayed a strong spring into a spot on the Opening Day roster. Motter hit .293 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI over 70 plate appearances this spring after a forgettable cup of coffee with the Rays last season when he slashed just .188/.290/.300. His ability to play up to seven positions and Shawn O'Malley's current absence due to a recent appendectomy likely helped seal the deal for Motter, who is also a stolen-base threat and has three seasons with more than 20 thefts on his minor-league resume.

The Mariners signed Beckham to a minor-league deal Friday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

The second baseman was granted his release by the Giants last week after putting up a weak spring line (.194/.268/.250 in 36 at-bats). Beckham will serve as organizational infield depth and could see major-league time later in the season.

Altuve went 1-for-2 with his first spring home run in Thursday's exhibition game against the Cubs.

Altuve has settled back into training camp after a stint with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He's hit in five straight games, a stretch that includes four extra-base hits and four RBI. He hit third in the batting order, the spot in which he hit most often last season when he posted a career-high 96 RBI.

Hernandez (wrist) is starting at shortstop in Thursday's matchup against the Angels, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After being hit by a pitch on Tuesday, Hernandez is set to return. Although he doesn't offer much in terms of production at the plate, the utility man figures to see some playing time this season due to his versatility in the field.

Semien, who was 0-for-3 against the Royals on Monday in his return from an illness, went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 15-12 Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Semien, who blasted a career-best 27 homers in 2016, launched only his second round-tripper of spring off Cubs starter John Lackey in the third inning. The 26-year-old brings plenty of pop but will look to improve his 22.4 percent strikeout rate from 2016 in the coming season.

Giavotella will begin the season with Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

The 29-year-old was in the running for a reserve infield spot with Baltimore, but his .701 OPS ultimately wasn't enough to warrant a spot on the 40-man roster. Giavotella will likely spend a good amount of time in the minors, although his major-league experience could help him be one of the first players called up if someone in the major-league infield gets injured or falters significantly.

With Aaron Hill looking like the favorite to win the Giants' backup middle infielder spot, Tomlinson appears ticketed to begin the year with Triple-A Sacramento.

The speedy infielder has been an excellent backup for the Giants over the past two seasons, batting .299 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases in 284 at-bats. Despite his solid production, Tomlinson's remaining minor-league options should make the club's decision to start the year with Hill an easy one. No roster moves have officially been made, but all signs point toward a start in the minors for the 26-year-old.

Hernandez (wrist) is expected to try hitting Thursday but is unsure if he'll be able to play the field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was hit in the wrist by a pitch in Tuesday's Cactus League matchup with the Pirates, although the ailment seems to be fairly minor. He may not be 100 percent for another few days, but a return to the lineup seems to be on the horizon nonetheless.