Tampa Bay Rays trainer Ron Porterfield, center, checks on Nick Franklin, left, after Franklin was hit with a bat while in the on-deck circle during the first inning of an interleague baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Looking on is Rays manager Kevin Cash. Franklin left the game after the inning. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay Rays utility man Nick Franklin is available to play after being hit in the head on deck Wednesday by a teammate's bat.
Franklin was not in the starting lineup against Texas left-hander Cole Hamels Friday night but could come off the bench.
"Everything is good," Franklin said. "Everything came out fine. I'm set to play whenever."
Kevin Kiermaier smacked the back of Franklin's head with a bat when Franklin bent to grab pine tar in the on-deck circle prior to leading off the first inning Wednesday against San Diego. Kiermaier was stretching a few feet in front of Franklin, swinging the bat over his head with one arm. Franklin was wearing a helmet.
"That was a little scary there," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I heard it. I didn't see it. He came in today and gave me a thumbs ups. He feels fine. He's good to go."
Franklin drew a walk and scored in the first inning Wednesday before leaving with a head bruise. He passed concussion tests Wednesday and Friday.
Tampa Bay had an off day Thursday.
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