Christian Franklin - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Volpe hits 2-run double in 6th inning and Yankees beat Orioles 6-3 for doubleheader split

Anthony Volpe hit a two-run double in his first appearance at shortstop since Aug. 1 and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 for a doubleheader split

SEPTEMBER 26 • Associated Press

Anthony Volpe makes debut at third base for Yankees in doubleheader opener vs. Orioles

Anthony Volpe made his first career big league appearance at third base for the New York Yankees in the opener of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Orioles activate reliever Félix Bautista from injured list, Albernaz returning, Mancini retires

The Baltimore Orioles activated reliever Félix Bautista from the 60-day injured list, setting up the former closer to return from right shoulder surgery 14 months after his last ma...

SEPTEMBER 19 • Associated Press

Back from IL The Orioles reinstated Franklin (hand) from the injured list Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Impact Franklin has been out since Sept. 1 with left hand inflammation but was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Sunday and has since gone 3-for-12 with a homer, two RBI, three runs and three steals over four games. Now fully healthy, he'll provide the Orioles with outfield depth down the stretch, replacing Heston Kjerstad.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sent on rehab assignment Franklin (hand) went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk.

Impact Out since the beginning of September with left hand inflammation, Franklin has been sent on a minor-league rehab assignment and is tracking toward rejoining the Baltimore roster before the end of the season. He had gone just 5-for-34 (.147) with a pair of doubles and steals in 16 appearances for the Orioles before going on the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Begins hitting progression Franklin (hand) has begun a hitting progression, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Impact Franklin landed on the 10-day injured list one week ago with left hand inflammation, so it's a good sign that he's been cleared to hit again already. It's seems unlikely that he'll be ready for activation when first eligible Friday, but he should return sometime this month if he continues to progress.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Out with hand inflammation The Orioles placed Franklin on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 31, due to left hand inflammation.

Impact It's unclear when or how Franklin sustained the injury, though he last appeared in Sunday's game against the A's and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He'll be eligible to be reinstated Sept. 11 in Toronto, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

After solid MLB debut, new O's OF Franklin making strong early impression BALTIMORE -- If you turned on the Orioles' 3-1 win over the Angels at Camden Yards on Tuesday night, it's possible you may not have known th...

AUGUST 5 • MLB.COM

Swipes bag in big-league debut Franklin went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Angels.

Impact Making his MLB debut after being acquired from the Nationals in a minor deal at the trade deadline, Franklin got the start in left field and hit seventh. The 26-year-old outfielder drew a leadoff walk in the third inning and came around to score the first run of the contest, then swiped his first bag after a seventh-inning fielder's choice. Franklin could be headed primarily for a short-side platoon role in Baltimore's lefty-heavy outfielder after slashing .251/.377/.363 over 93 games for Triple-A Rochester with six homers and 17 steals in 21 attempts, but Tuesday's start against right-hander Grayson Rodriguez at least offers a glimpse at a larger workload.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Pete Alonso hits 2-run single and trade-depleted Orioles beat Angels 3-1

Pete Alonso hit a two-run single, Tyler O’Neill had his third pinch-hit homer of the season, and the trade-depleted Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1

AUGUST 5 • Associated Press

Slated for promotion Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio that Franklin will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Impact Acquired from the Nationals via trade Monday, Franklin is poised to report directly to the major-league club. He's slashed .249/.375/.360 with six home runs, 17 stolen bases and a 65:107 BB:K over 93 games at the Triple-A level in 2026. Franklin can handle all three outfield spots and is likely to operate in a reserve role.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Traded again The Nationals traded Franklin to the Orioles on Monday in exchange for Joe Glassey, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Impact Franklin is on the 40-man roster and has been league average (101 wRC+) in 93 games at Triple-A as a 26-year-old. He has plus speed and good defensive chops and will hope to eventually carve out time as a reserve outfielder. Franklin was traded from the Cubs to the Nationals at last year's deadline.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals Reportedly Make Important Roster Decision Regarding Cionel Perez The Washington Nationals are getting closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster. On Monday, it was announced that oufielder Christian Fra...

MARCH 23 • SI.COM

Falls short of Opening Day roster The Nationals optioned Franklin to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Impact Franklin has yet to make his MLB debut, but he appeared to have a decent shot at being included on the Nationals' Opening Day roster after Washington had optioned fellow outfielders Robert Hassell and Dylan Crews to the minors in recent days. Ultimately, Franklin will wind up joining Hassell and Crews in Rochester, where all three should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis. Franklin spent the entire 2025 season at the Triple-A level, slashing .272/.390/.427 with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 117 games between the Cubs' and Nationals' top affiliates.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Shot at Opening Day roster Franklin is still in the running for a spot on the 26-man roster with Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell both set to begin the season at Triple-A Rochester, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athl...

Impact The 26-year-old outfielder was added to the 40-man roster this offseason after being acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade, and Franklin could make the jump to the big leagues after slashing a combined .266/.383/.418 over 117 Triple-A games last season between Iowa and Rochester with 12 homers and 19 steals. He hasn't shown much this spring at the plate, however batting .233 (7-for-30) with zero extra-base hits and a 1:11 BB:K. Franklin is capable of playing all three outfield positions, and that versatility could earn him the final spot on the Nationals' bench.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Joins 40-man roster The Nationals selected Franklin's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Impact The 25-year-old was acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade over the summer, so it's no surprise the Nationals are protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Franklin spent the year at the Triple-A level between the two organizations and posted an .817 OPS with 12 homers and 19 steals in 117 games.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

2025 MLB Trade Deadline Buzz, Trades Tracker: Every Move Made Before Deadline

The 2025 MLB trade deadline is Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. ET. On that note, here are trade rumors around the sport.

JULY 31, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

2025 MLB Trade Deadline Buzz, Trades Tracker: Every Move Made Before Deadline

Cubs add pitching depth with Michael Soroka, Andrew Kittredge

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their pitching staff ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline by adding right-handers Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and Andrew Kittredge from th...

JULY 31, 2025 • Associated Press

Shipped to D.C. The Cubs traded Franklin to the Nationals on Wednesday alongside Ronny Cruz in exchange for Michael Soroka, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Franklin has spent the entire season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, slashing .257/.383/.415 with eight homers, 40 RBI, 60 runs scored and 11 steals through 86 games. The 25-year-old will likely report to Triple-A Rochester upon joining the Nationals organization and could be a candidate to join the big club once rosters expand in September.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shipped to D.C. The Cubs traded Franklin to the Nationals on Wednesday alongside Ronny Cruz in exchange for Michael Soroka, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suárez to Mariners, Durán to Phillies as MLB trade market heats up before Thursday's deadline

Slugger Eugenio Suarez is headed to the Seattle Mariners and flame-throwing reliever Jhoan Duran has been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies during a busy Wednesday ahead of Major...

JULY 30, 2025 • Associated Press

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