MLB Player News

Franco was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Boston due to right quadriceps soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco was listed as the designated hitter but didn't come up to the plate for his first at-bat. The Rays are calling his removal precautionary, so Opening Day still seems to be in play, but the young shortstop's history of quad problems make the issue more worrisome than it might otherwise be. A strained right quadriceps cost him nearly a month in 2022, and he had a pair of brief absences earlier that year due to minor issues with the same muscle.

Franco was listed as the Rays' designated hitter Saturday against the Red Sox and was expected to bat second but was replaced prior to his first at-bat of the game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The reason for the change of plans is not yet clear, but it's possible Franco is dealing with some sort of injury. He hasn't looked as though he's playing hurt this spring, slashing .263/.364/.526 through nine games.

Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters that Crawford will undergo X-rays on his foot before Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Crawford fouled a ball of his foot before Friday's game, and was scratched from the lineup shortly before the start of the contest. The infielder was able to go through pregame workouts, but the Mariners won't take any chances with their starting shortstop. If Crawford winds up missing time to begin the regular season, Mason McCoy could find himself in the Opening Day starting lineup.

Crawford is out of the lineup Friday after fouling a ball off his foot, SShannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford was scheduled to hit at the top of the otrder and play shortstop, but the infielder was scratched as a precaution. The 28-year-old is considered day-to-day, but at this point there's little reason to think he won't be ready to go for the regular season.

Crawford has been scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics for undisclosed reasons, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Crawford has been dealing with a shoulder issue in the past few days, but there's no word as to why the infielder is out of the lineup. Mason McCoy will start in his place. There should be an update on why Crawford is out of action before the conclusion of Friday's game.

Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Velazquez is excellent defensively, but he holds a career .192/.240/.295 batting line in 530 total plate appearances at the MLB level. He played in 125 games for the Angels in 2022, and it's a better sign for the team's chances in 2023 that he will not be part of the Opening Day roster.

Volpe has been receiving support from "high-level voices" within the Yankees in his bid to make the Opening Day roster, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Manager Aaron Boone allowed his players to "pound the table" for their favorite shortstop candidate earlier this week, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, and it sounds like multiple veterans have Volpe's back. The 21-year-old was considered a long shot to make the team coming into camp, but he's put himself neck and neck with Oswald Peraza by slashing .279/.404/.535 with two homers and five steals in 15 Grapefruit League games. Volpe is leading off for the Yankees again in their split-squad game against the Twins on Friday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a pair of run-scoring singles that netted three RBI, a double and a run in a Cactus League tie with the Rangers on Thursday.

Smith's torrid spring continued with his fourth multi-hit effort of Cactus League play, which pushed his average to .385 and his RBI total to 14. The 26-year-old does have 15 strikeouts in 46 plate appearances, but the upside he's flashed when putting the ball in play seemingly gives him job security as a reserve infielder who could progressively work himself into a solid amount of playing time.

Lopez (groin) will be available as a reserve in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lopez isn't guaranteed to play Wednesday, but after resuming full baseball activities earlier this week without incident, he looks like he's made a recovery from the left groin injury he picked up while recently playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. The 24-year-old is in the mix for a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster as a utility man.

Soto was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Tuesday.

Soto comes up short in his bid to be a bench option for the Angels to begin 2023. The infielder performed well in an 18-game sample with Los Angeles last year with a .400/.414/.582 slash line over 59 plate appearances. There's a very good chance Soto will be up with the Angels before the end of 2023, but he's likely to spend just as much time -- if not more -- with Salt Lake.