Franklin will start at second base and bat in the leadoff spot Sunday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Jonathan Villar is out of the lineup for the first time all season, and so not only will Franklin man the keystone in his stead, but the 26-year-old will also assume Villar's usual duties as the team's table setter. In his lone other start back on April 8 against the Cubs, Franklin delivered a two-run homer.

Franklin went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 11-6 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

He started in left field, but Franklin ended up being double-switched out of the game. Still, this was a good first impression for him in a Brewers jersey, as Franklin's 2017 had otherwise gotten off to an ignominious start -- he was waived by Tampa prior to Opening Day and claimed by Milwaukee on Wednesday, so this was his first appearance of the season.

Franklin will play right field and bat sixth of Saturday's matchup against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Ryan Braun was a late scratch with back tightness, opening up the door for Franklin to start his first game as a Brewers. The 26-year-old slashed .270/.328/.443 across 174 at-bats with Tampa Bay last season, adding six homers and 26 RBI.

Franklin was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Wednesday, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franklin is on the move quickly after being DFA'd by the Rays earlier this week. The switch-hitter provides a reliable utility option to go along with a somewhat inconsistent offensive skill set. Franklin hit .270/.328/.443 with Tampa Bay last season, adding six home runs and 26 RBI over just 60 games. He'll likely be utilized as a reserve bat off the bench, but could work his way into regular playing time if he impresses.

Franklin was designated for assignment by the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Franklin followed up a decent 2016 campaign with a strong showing this spring, the Rays simply needed to trim their roster down Saturday with Opening Day approaching. Although Franklin offers positional versatility, Topkin notes that the club felt more confident in Daniel Robertson's ability to serve as the backup shortstop. Franklin will now be available on waivers, but could return to the Rays if he goes unclaimed.

Franklin (illness) will start at second base and bat eighth in the order in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franklin was scratched from Tuesday's lineup while he dealt with the illness, but the Rays never expected him to require much recovery time. Though he'll start Wednesday, Franklin won't have a path to an everyday role to begin the season with Brad Miller expected to occupy the keystone more often than not. However, Franklin's ability to play just about everywhere on the diamond as well as the corner outfield should help him find a handful of at-bats every week.

Franklin was scratched from the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins due to an illness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franklin's removal from the lineup looks precautionary, so he shouldn't need for than a day or two to recover. The 26-year-old won't have an everyday starting role to begin the season, but with the ability to play every position save for catcher and center field, Franklin could still find his way to two or three starts per week, even when the team is relatively healthy.

Franklin went 3-for-3 with a stolen base and run in Monday's 9-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old continues to be the Rays' hottest hitter in terms of players with regular playing time this spring, with Monday's outing bringing his line to .571/.591/.810 over 21 at-bats. Franklin impressively sprayed the ball around on his three hits Monday, dropping one in to each outfield spot. Despite his torrid pace at the plate, Franklin will still need to keep his defense sharp to see regular playing time in a "super utility" role that could see him fill in at the corner spots in both the infield and outfield in addition to shortstop.

Franklin went 2-for-2 with a double, walk and run in Monday's 7-2 Grapefruit League win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays' utility man extraordinaire was on base in all three of his plate appearances while hitting out of the two-hole Monday. Franklin backed up every infield position expect third and also saw time at both corner outfield spots and DH last season, essentially rendering him indispensable. He'll look to build on his 2016 career-best line of .270/.328/.443 in the coming campaign, although the extent of his opportunity is difficult to gauge this early.

Franklin is a candidate to take over the Rays' currently vacant second base job this coming spring, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old infielder put together a career-best slash line of .270/.328/.443 over 174 at-bats last season, posting his best homer (12) and RBI (45) totals since his 2013 rookie campaign in the process. Franklin saw action at first base, second base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots in 2016, while also putting in six games as the DH, a testament to his considerable versatility. With the trade of Logan Forsythe to the Dodgers on Jan. 23, the starting second base job could come down to Franklin and the talented but inconsistent Tim Beckham this spring.