MLB looks into social media involving Rays’ Franco as short stop misses game
All-Star shortstop Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays have “mutually agreed” that the 22-year-old will go on the restricted list while Major League Baseball looks into social media posts involving the player.
The club made the announcement on Monday in the wake of social media posts that began circulating over the weekend. The Rays did not detail the nature of the posts.
MLB has launched an investigation, a source 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 on 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 statement.
The road trip, which includes three games against the Giants and three against the Los Angeles Angels, ends next Sunday.
“We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation,” the club said of the MLB investigation. “Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time.”
Franco sat on the bench in the Rays’ dugout during a portion of Sunday’s game, leaving in the fifth inning.
After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash was asked whether there was any issue with Franco not playing other than a regular day off. Cash replied: “No.”
“I’m aware of the speculation, and I’m not going to comment any further on that,” Cash said. “The day off was because [it was] a day off.”
Franco was benched for two games in late June for how he has responded to frustrating situations and – in Cash’s words at the time – “not being the best teammate” at times.
Tampa Bay signed Franco to an $182m, 11-year contract in November 2021, a deal with a team option for 2033 that could be worth $223m.