Franklin hit by bat, exits with head contusion

ST. PETERSBURG -- Second baseman Nick Franklin was taken out of the Rays' 2-0 win over the Padres on Wednesday before the second inning after sustaining a head contusion. Kevin Kiermaier accidentally hit Franklin -- who was wearing a helmet -- on a back-swing while warming up in the on-deck circle before the bottom of the first, but he stayed in for his first at-bat and walked.
Tim Beckham moved from shortstop to second and Luke Maile entered the game at first base, while Brad Miller moved to short. Tampa Bay said Franklin was removed as a precaution.
"I've never seen it happen," Franklin said after the game. "I've seen it maybe happen on TV in bloopers, or something. But hopefully I don't make that list."
Franklin passed his concussion test, and he will have a follow-up evaluation on Friday. He spent the rest of the game on a couch in the Rays' clubhouse. Manager Kevin Cash said he was pretty concerned after the incident occurred, and he was mostly focused on Franklin's health rather than the actual game during the bottom of the first inning.
The Rays were already without infielders Logan Forsythe and Matt Duffy on Wednesday. Forsythe is dealing with back spasms and Duffy has a sore left Achilles.
• Forsythe, Duffy sidelined with minor injuries
Franklin is batting .295 with four homers and 23 RBIs on the season.
There are no hard feelings between Kiermaier and Franklin, and both made light of the situation with Franklin feeling better.
"The most contact I made the whole day was before the game even started," Kiermaier joked.