MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash said he is "confident" that Franco (hamstring) will be in the lineup Monday against Oakland, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Franco was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's loss to the Twins with hamstring tightness, the second time the injury has popped up for him early in the season. However, Cash said after the game that Franco was in line for a day off in the near future and that the move was largely made out of precaution. Interestingly, Cash specifically noted that the Rays had been on a long homestand and that the turf field at Tropicana Field had been more grueling on Franco's body than a typical grass surface. While the Rays will begin a nine-game stint on the road Monday, they start that trip on a grass field in Oakland.

Witt (wrist) is back in the lineup Monday, starting at third base and batting seventh against the Cardinals.

After missing Sunday's loss to the Yankees with wrist soreness, the rookie will be ready to go for Monday's contest. Over the first 10 games of the season, Witt had only five hits, but he's now rattled off a nine-game hitting streak. The hot stretch has raised his batting average from .128 to .216, but the 21-year-old is still searching for his first MLB homer.

Mateo went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run during Sunday's 9-5 win against Boston.

The 26-year-old came up with the bases loaded and no outs during the sixth inning and delivered with a two-run double, and he came around to score two batters later. The double was Mateo's fifth extra-base hit of the season and only his second multi-hit game. He doesn't provide much pop with a .246/.297/.318 slash line and zero homers through 21 contests, though his baserunning brings some value as he ranks second in MLB with seven stolen bases while being caught only once.

Bichette went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a strikeout in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros.

Bichette went without an extra-base hit in his last five games, but he went yard for the third time this year during Sunday's low-scoring win. After hitting .301 over his first three major-league seasons, the 24-year-old has hit just .213 with three homers, 10 runs, 10 RBI and three steals over the first 23 games in 2022.

Anderson went 3-for-5 with a run scored and one RBI in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Angels.

Anderson knocked an RBI single and came around to score during the White Sox's five-run ninth inning, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback. The star shortstop is 11-for-29 (.379) with five multi-hit games over his last seven appearances. He's now batting .333 with 12 runs scored through 72 at-bats on the year.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.

Smith made his first start since his return from the injured list due to an ankle issue and came through with one of two multi-hit efforts for the Athletics. The 25-year-old had also laced a double as a pinch hitter Friday, and he's reached safely in six of his last seven games overall dating back to April 14.

Allen went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.

The rookie swiped his first major-league bag off the Shane Bieber-Austin Hedges battery while also contributing the first multi-hit effort of his career. On the other hand, his defensive misadventures in the ninth inning led directly to the winning runs for Cleveland. Allen has posted a .222/.300/.333 slash line over his first 20 plate appearances while seeing time at second base and shortstop.

Witt was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees while he tends to a right wrist contusion, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Witt was struck in the wrist by a pitch in Saturday's 3-0 loss, and though he wasn't forced to depart the game because of it, manager Mike Matheny acknowledged the rookie would be monitored over the next 24 hours. After re-examining Witt early Sunday, the team ultimately decided to hold him out for the series finale to give him additional time for the soreness on his bruised wrist subside. Emmanuel Rivera will enter the lineup as a replacement at third base for Witt, who will put his nine-game hitting streak on hold.

Franco was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins due to right hamstring tightness, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

As a result of Franco's late removal from the lineup, designated hitter Manuel Margot will now bat second for the Rays, while Taylor Walls shifts over from third base to cover Franco's usual position at shortstop. The Rays haven't provided word on the extent of Franco's injury, so he can be viewed as day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener in Oakland until manager Kevin Cash elaborates further on the matter.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a 3-1 victory versus the Braves.

Seager got the scoring started for the Rangers with a 406-foot blast to right field in the first inning. The star shortstop has gone deep in each of his past three contests following an 11-game homer drought between April 15 and 27. Seager is tied for the team lead with four home runs and ranks second with 12 RBI on the season.