Rays' Nick Franklin: Starting as DH against Red Sox

Franklin (hamstring) will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Saturday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

As of Tuesday, Franklin was said to be eyeing a return during the final weekend of the regular season, but evidently he's progressed quicker than expected. Franklin has hit .295/.363/.508 against right-handed pitching this season and was playing regularly between shortstop, second base, left field and first base before going down with the hamstring injury.