FRANCO ON RESTRICTED LIST
Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor, according to a statement Monday from the office of the attorney general in his native country.
The Rays, meanwhile, placed the 22-year-old on the restricted list, a move that will sideline Franco for at least six games while MLB investigates social media posts involving the player.
The investigations follow reported social media posts suggesting Franco was in a relationship with a minor. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the reported posts. Asked about Franco’s alleged relationship with the minor, the media office of the attorney general in the Dominican Republic said in a statement “there are investigations regarding that matter.”
It was not immediately clear if Franco had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The Rays did not detail the nature of the social media posts but said the team and Franco “mutually agreed” he would go on the restricted list. Franco will be paid during his time on the restricted list.
MLB has launched an investigation, a person familiar with the probe told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.
Franco did not play in Sunday’s home series finale against Cleveland at Tropicana Field and did not accompany the Rays to San Francisco for the start of a six-game road trip that begins Monday night against the Giants.
“The Tampa Bay Rays and Wander Franco have mutually agreed that he will go on the Restricted List and take leave from the club for the duration of the current road trip,” the team said in a one-sentence statement.
The road trip, which includes three games against the Giants and three against the Los Angeles Angels, ends next Sunday. The Rays return home to face Colorado on Aug. 22.
“We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation,” the club said later Monday of the MLB investigation. “Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time.”
Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander addressed media on call later but kept it to baseball decisions, saying, “Our comments on Wander are going to stand for what we have to say.”
Franco is hitting .281 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs this season.
He had played in 40 consecutive games before taking Sunday off, hitting .411 (23-for-56) with six homers and 11 RBIs over his past 11 games.
One of Tampa Bay’s top prospects, 22-year-old Osleivis Basabe, started Sunday at shortstop in his major league debut and was in the lineup again for Monday’s series opener in San Francisco.
Franco, who was on a seven-game hitting streak in which he was batting .517 with three homers and seven RBIs, sat on the bench in the Rays’ dugout during a portion of Sunday’s game. He left in the fifth inning and was not in the clubhouse following a 9-2 loss to the Guardians.
A day later, manager Kevin Cash declined to discuss the situation in specifics but said he remained confident in his club’s ability to focus on baseball.
“It’s a good group, a good balance of young players that bring a lot of energy, we’ve got some veterans that have really done a nice job over the course of the season withstanding a long season and the stuff that goes into a five-month season,” Cash said.
“I am confident in that. We’ve been playing pretty good baseball, let’s see if we can continue.”
The budget-conscious Rays signed Franco to an $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021, a deal with a team option for 2033 that could be worth $223 million.
Braves’ Albies goes on IL
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is headed to the 10-day injured list after missing Monday night’s game against the New York Yankees with a left hamstring strain.
It was Albies’ first missed start of the season. Following the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker announced plans to place Albies on the IL. Vaughn Grissom, who filled in at second base late last season, is an option to be recalled to fill Albies’ roster spot.
Albies has been one of Atlanta’s most productive players, hitting .267 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs, second in the majors behind teammate Matt Olson. Albies ranks eighth in the majors with 235 total bases.
“I had to get a new stamp out,” Snitker said of his first lineup without Albies at second base.
Albies is not the Braves’ only iron man of 2023. Olson at first base, third baseman Austin Riley and right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. also have started each of Atlanta’s first 117 games as the Braves have compiled the majors’ best record.
Notable
The St. Louis Cardinals placed left-handed pitcher Steven Matz on the 15-day injured list with a left lat strain.
Matz reported some soreness after his start Saturday in Kansas City against the Royals.
• Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout said Monday he’s improving every day from a fractured left hamate bone that has kept him out of the lineup since July 3, but he said there is no set date for his return.
“I know that it’s just a pain tolerance thing,” Trout said before the Angels’ game against the Texas Rangers. “Once it gets to a point where it’s bearable, I’ll be out there.”
• Derek Jeter will attend Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day for the first time since his retirement when New York honors the 25th anniversary of its 1998 World Series championship team on Sept. 9.