The Tampa Bay Rays mentioned that Main League Baseball was investigating “social media posts” about Wander Franco, the All-Star shortstop. Franco sat out of his group’s recreation on Sunday, and he’ll miss upcoming video games in opposition to the Giants and Angels, the group mentioned.
Franco was within the dugout for the primary a part of Sunday afternoon’s residence recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians, then left. The Rays misplaced, 9-2. Sunday’s recreation was Wander Franco snapback hat evening in Tampa.
“Throughout immediately’s recreation, we had been made conscious of the social media posts which are circulating concerning Wander Franco,” the Rays mentioned in a press release Sunday. “We take the scenario significantly, and are in shut contact with Main League Baseball because it conducts its due diligence.”
Supervisor Kevin Money said after the game that it was “only a break day.”
“I’m conscious of the hypothesis,” he continued. “I’m not going to remark any additional on that. However the break day was as a result of — a break day.”
The Rays introduced Monday that the group and participant “have mutually agreed that he’ll go on the Restricted Checklist and take depart from the Membership at some point of the present highway journey.” The Rays subsequent play at residence on Aug. 22.
“We assist any steps taken by the league to raised perceive the scenario,” the group added later. It mentioned there can be no additional remark.
MLB.com, The Athletic and The Tampa Bay Times had been amongst those who reported that the investigation was associated to social media posts that accused Franco of an inappropriate sexual relationship.
In a video posted to social media, Franco was dismissive. “They’re saying that I’m working round with a minor woman,” he mentioned, including: “Individuals don’t have anything higher to do with their time.”
Franco, 22, is in his third season with the Rays and was an All-Star for the primary time this season. He’s hitting .281 with 17 residence runs and 30 stolen bases.
He was benched for 2 video games in June for unspecified disciplinary causes. “Over the course of this season, there’s been in all probability a number of instances that the way in which he has dealt with his frustrations haven’t been the way in which that we ask our gamers to uphold being the perfect teammate,” Cash said at the time.
In 2021, the Rays invested closely in his future, signing him to an 11-year, $182 million contract, which was the richest deal ever for a participant with lower than one yr within the majors.
After a sizzling begin to this season, the Rays sit in second within the American League East, three video games behind the Baltimore Orioles, however are in sturdy place for one of many A.L.’s three wild playing cards.
