ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — All-Star shortstop Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays have “mutually agreed” that the 22-year-old will go on the restricted record whereas Major League Baseball seems to be into social media posts involving the participant.
The membership made the announcement Monday within the wake of social media posts that started circulating over the weekend. The Rays didn’t element the character of the social media posts.
MLB has launched an investigation, an individual aware of the probe informed The Associated Press, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of no announcement was made.
Franco didn’t play in Sunday’s dwelling collection finale in opposition to Cleveland at Tropicana Field and didn’t accompany the Rays to San Francisco for the beginning of a six-game highway journey that begins Monday night time in opposition to 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 group mentioned in a one-sentence assertion.
The highway journey, which incorporates three video games in opposition to the Giants and three in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels, ends subsequent Sunday. The Rays return dwelling to face Colorado on Aug. 22.
“We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation,” the membership mentioned of the MLB investigation. “Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time.”
Franco is hitting .281 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs this season.
One of Tampa Bay’s prime prospects, Osleivis Basabe, began at shortstop on Sunday within the 22-year-old’s main league debut.
Franco sat on the bench within the Rays’ dugout throughout a portion of Sunday’s recreation, leaving within the fifth inning.
After the sport, Rays supervisor Kevin Cash was requested whether or not there was any problem with Franco not taking part in apart from a daily break day. Cash replied: “No.”
“I’m aware of the speculation, and I’m not going to comment any further on that,” Cash mentioned. “The day off was because (it was) a day off.”
Franco was benched for 2 video games in late June for a way he has responded to irritating conditions and – in Cash’s phrases on the time – not being one of the best teammate at instances.
Tampa Bay signed Franco to a $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021, a cope with a group possibility for 2033 that may very well be price $223 million.
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