Rays Sidelined Wander Franco While MLB Investigating His Social-Media

In light of the MLB investigation Michael Bradburn, Rays’ Franco is reportedly not travelling with the team.

Shortstop On August 5, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan, Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays strikes out Zack Short of the Detroit Tigers at first base during the sixth inning of play at Comerica Park.

According to the Tampa Bay Rays, Major League Baseball is looking into popular social media posts about shortstop Wander Franco.

According to sources, Franco did not travel with the Rays to San Francisco for their three-game series against the Giants.

The team released a statement to Hannah Keyser of Yahoo Sports, who acquired it from the team. “During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco,” the statement read. We are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it performs its due diligence and take the situation seriously.

The Rays declined to clarify if Franco travelled with them to San Francisco and didn’t identify which social media remarks they were alluding to.

According to Passan, MLB has not yet confirmed the social media remarks, and Franco might be placed on the restricted list or put on administrative leave.

Manager Kevin Cash stated that Franco’s absence from the lineup on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians was simply “a day off.”

According to Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, Franco, 22, was at the stadium and remained in the dugout until the fifth inning, but he was not present in the clubhouse following the game. He had his locker filled by a teammate.

Despite the team hosting a Franco-themed snapback hat giveaway for children 14 and under, he received the day off.

Due to how he handled his annoyance, the Rays benched Franco for two games in late June and noted that he should improve as a teammate.