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 workforce’s sport on Sunday, and he’ll miss upcoming video games towards the Giants and Angels, the workforce mentioned.
Franco was within the dugout for the primary a part of Sunday afternoon’s house sport towards the Cleveland Guardians, then left. The Rays misplaced, 9-2. Sunday’s sport was Wander Franco snapback hat night time in Tampa.
“Throughout at the moment’s sport, we have been made conscious of the social media posts which are circulating concerning Wander Franco,” the Rays mentioned in an announcement Sunday. “We take the scenario critically, and are in shut contact with Main League Baseball because it conducts its due diligence.”
Supervisor Kevin Money mentioned after the sport that it was “only a day without work.”
“I’m conscious of the hypothesis,” he continued. “I’m not going to remark any additional on that. However the day without work was as a result of — a day without work.”
The Rays introduced Monday that the workforce and participant “have mutually agreed that he’ll go on the Restricted Checklist and take depart from the Membership at some stage in the present highway journey.” The Rays subsequent play at house on Aug. 22.
“We assist any steps taken by the league to raised perceive the scenario,” the workforce added later. It mentioned there could be no additional remark.
MLB.com, The Athletic and The Tampa Bay Occasions have been amongst people 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 operating round with a minor lady,” he mentioned, including: “Folks 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 house 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 one of the best teammate,” Money mentioned on 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 12 months 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.