Rays' Nick Franklin: Earning regular starts at first base, left field

Franklin will start in left field and bat third in the order Sunday against the Twins, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays' recent trades of Steve Pearce and Brandon Guyer appear to have paved the way to more playing time for Franklin, who is making his eight straight start Sunday. He's seen action at first base or left field in those preceding games, going 5-for-25 with three RBI and a stolen base.