SAN FRANCISCO — Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on the restricted list for at least a week as he is now the subject of an official investigation by Major League Baseball.
A series of social media posts on Sunday alleged Franco was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
He did not play in Sunday’s game and did not travel with the team Sunday night to San Francisco, where it opens a three-game series tonight with the Giants. The Rays also play at Anaheim on Friday-Sunday.
On Monday, the Rays said in a statement: “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.”
That stay could be extended pending the status of the MLB investigation and, according to the findings, potentially lead to a suspension. Under the current agreement, the first game Franco could return is Aug. 22 at home against Colorado.
MLB officials on Sunday were said to be looking into the matter and conducting due diligence. That escalated Monday, per a league official, into the league opening an official investigation.
The Rays said of that development: “We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation. Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time.”
Franco was at Tropicana Field on Sunday but not seen in the clubhouse after the posts became widely circulated on social media during the game.
In an Instagram Live post from the clubhouse that was recorded pre-game Sunday, Franco, speaking in Spanish, seemed to dispute the accusations:
“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor. People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody … because people gossip and talk smack.”
Someone off camera said “people always looking to get money,” to which Franco responded: “You tell ‘em.” A few seconds later centerfielder Jose Siri walked behind Franco dancing, and Franco laughed and said: “That’s the best rhythm,” adding a slang expression meaning, “I’m good, brother.”
The league has a department of investigations that has purview over a broad number of issues and operates independently of the teams, and with staffers in the Dominican Republic, where Franco is from and where the social media reports appear to have originated.
Franco, 22, will be paid during his time on the restricted list, but will not count against the 26-man active roster or the 40-man roster. The Rays had already called up prospect Osleivis Basabe to start at shortstop and give Franco a day off Sunday, sending down pitcher Josh Fleming to make room.
Franco’s absence comes at a time when he had been playing extraordinarily well over the last few weeks, hitting .411 (23-for-56) with six homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.280 OPS over 14 games, with hits in 13. Also, seven walks and seven strikeouts. For the season overall, Franco is hitting .281 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and an .819 OPS. His 5.4 WAR rating, per baseball-reference.com, is fifth best among all position players in the majors, and his 2.2 defensive WAR is tops.
General manager Peter Bendix, in a previously scheduled interview on WDAE-620, said it was “somewhat to be determined” how they will replace Franco, though he spoke highly of Basabe. Another option is to call up Vidal Brujan, who has filled in previously this season. Taylor Walls, the primary backup, is on the injured list with an oblique strain.
Franco was benched by the Rays for two June games for not “being the best teammate” in lacking control of his emotions; Franco said upon returning he would do better. The Rays in November 2021 signed Franco to an 11-year contract that guarantees him $182 million and could be worth up to $223 million over 12.
Times photo director Martha Asencio-Rhine contributed to this report.
This story will be updated.
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