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Nick Franklin suffers oblique strain, Opening Day in doubt

Twins Rays Spring Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays’ Nick Franklin runs after hitting a grounder to second in the first inning during a spring training baseball against the Minnesota Twins at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla.. Friday, March 6, 2015. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, Wil Vragovic) TAMPA OUT; CITRUS COUNTY OUT; PORT CHARLOTTE OUT; BROOKSVILLE HERNANDO TODAY OUT

AP

Nick Franklin was expected to have at least a share of the starting second base job for the Rays to begin the season, but that’s in jeopardy now that he has suffered a strained left oblique.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times notes that Franklin tweaked his oblique on his last swing of batting practice this morning. Rays manager Kevin Cash said that they are “not too optimistic” that he’ll be ready for Opening Day, which makes sense given that these type of injuries can sideline players for a few weeks.

The Rays have already named Asdrubal Cabrera as their starting shortstop, so assuming Franklin begins the season on the disabled list, Logan Forsythe figures to get most of the playing time at second base. Alexi Casilla, Tim Beckham, and Jake Elmore could also be in the mix.

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