MLB Player News

Franklin is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin had started the past three games in right field, but he'll give way to Steven Souza with left-hander J.A. Happ on the hill for the Jays. With Franklin batting .348 since his return from a concussion Aug. 27, he should be in the lineup more often than not for the Rays over the final month of the season.

Altuve is dealing with right calf discomfort and is considered day-to-day, Angel Verdejo of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve was injured trying to beat out a game-ending double play in the ninth inning Saturday. With him listed as day-to-day he will have a chance to play Sunday, but the Astros could opt to give him a day to rest and recover.

Drury is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

Drury was a bit better in August than he was during a brutal slump in June and July, but he really hasn't been very productive since April and May. He will sit in favor of Socrates Brito in left field Saturday, and could continue to lose out on at-bats over the final month now that rosters have expanded.

Marte had two hits and three RBI on Friday in a win against the Angels.

Marte has picked it up recently, hitting .320 with a .346 OBP in his last 14 games, though he only has two extra-base hits (both doubles) in that span. Marte played well early in the season, but he hasn't gotten back to that level after a couple DL stints. The Mariners tried to acquire a shortstop at the trade deadline, and it wouldn't surprise if they tried again in the offseason. Marte likely needs a solid September to make his case for 2017.

Semien was 0-for-3 Friday night against the Red Sox to lower his average to .239.

Semien has been hanging out around .240 most of the season, but up until the last month he had at least been pairing that with nice power. Semien's pop has dried up recently as he only has one homer to go with six RBI since August first. Semien does have 23 bombs on the season, but could be tiring as he heads to the finish line of a long season.

Frazier was recalled from the minor leagues, but is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

Never a top prospect, but a very productive minor leaguer in 2015 and 2016, Frazier has emerged as the Pirates' utility player of the future. He has a solid hit tool (.300 or better average at Double-A, Triple-A and the majors) and an excellent approach (27:29 K:BB at Triple-A). Another aspect of his game that makes him valuable in real life is the fact that he can play second base, third base, right field and left field. He should be used in that super utility role down the stretch for the Pirates, but is unlikely to offer enough counting stats to make him valuable in most formats.

The Royals recalled Merrifield from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Merrifield has played with Omaha since late July, but he saw extensive action with the Royals earlier this season, appearing in 53 games. He played both the infield and outfield at both levels, so he figures to work as a super-utility player for the big club during September.

Tomlinson was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The versatile Tomlinson has appeared in 35 games for the big league club this season, hitting .289 with three RBI, 10 walks and 13 strikeouts in 76 at-bats. A .285 hitter at the Triple-A level, Tomlinson will provide utility depth for the Giants over the final month-plus of the season. The 26-year-old has seen time at second base, shortstop, third base and left field over the past two seasons.

Forsythe went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday.

He hit a two-run blast to give the Rays a lead in the second and then tied the game on a two-run single in the eighth, but Tampa Bay would fall 8-6. Forsythe recorded eight multi-hit games, six home runs, 13 RBI and 17 runs in August. He is slashing .273/.340/.471 with 17 bombs, 46 RBI and 61 runs in 395 at-bats.

Barreto was promoted to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

The A's brought up Joey Wendle from Nashville on Wednesday, so Barreto will take his place on the Sounds' roster over the final 12 days of the season. The top prospect in Oakland's system, Barreto won't turn 21 until Feb. 27, so the fact that he has already reached Triple-A is an extremely rare feat. He uses super quick wrists and strong forearms to really impact the ball, especially to the pull side. Barreto got off to a slow start at Double-A this year, but he is hitting .339/.392/.484 with three home runs and 14 steals (on 21 attempts) in 45 games since the All-Star break.