So much for that: Mariners demote Nick Franklin back to Triple-A

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It looked like the Mariners might give Nick Franklin an extended opportunity to earn playing time in their outfield following Logan Morrison’s hamstring injury, but one day after Franklin started in the outfield for the first time in his professional career he’s headed back to Triple-A.

Franklin went 2-for-13 in a six-game call-up to Seattle after hitting .395 in 11 games at Triple-A, and instead of letting him take a crack at a regular outfield gig the Mariners will have him continue to showcase himself for a potential trade as a middle infielder in the minors.

There was one play Wednesday in which Franklin clearly looked like a newbie in the outfield and perhaps that was a factor in the quick demotion, because Greg Johns of MLB.com reports that the Mariners will replace him on the roster with journeyman outfielder Cole Gillespie.

Franklin played 102 games for the Mariners last season as a 22-year-old rookie and before that consistently ranked as a top-100 prospect, but lost his starting job at second base when Seattle signed Robinson Cano.

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year, $55.75M deal

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Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.