DETROIT — INF Nick Franklin returned to the Rays on Tuesday along with RHP Andrew Bellatti, two of the latest call-ups from Triple-A Durham.
Despite an injury-plagued year that included a disappointing stint at the big-league level, Franklin remains very much in the Rays’ plans, according to manager Kevin Cash.
“Definitely,” Cash said. “He’s a very athletic player. He can play multiple positions in the middle. Switch-hits, that’s always a plus. And he’s got a lot of pop.”
Franklin was expected to platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe until he was sidelined at the start of the season by an oblique strain, then played through a sore shoulder once he returned.