Franco on restricted list following social media allegations
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays introduced Monday that shortstop Wander Franco mutually agreed to be positioned on the restricted checklist throughout their present highway journey. The announcement got here previous to the Rays’ collection opener in opposition to the Giants in San Francisco on Monday evening. According to an MLB official, the league is investigating social media allegations made about his habits.
The membership made the next announcement Monday afternoon: “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 Rays issued a separate assertion quickly after the above announcement: “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 didn’t journey with the Rays on their Sunday evening flight to San Francisco, the place they’ll start a three-game collection in opposition to the Giants on Monday evening. Tampa Bay’s highway journey continues this weekend in Anaheim earlier than the workforce returns residence on Aug. 22.
In an announcement launched Sunday evening, the Rays mentioned they have been made conscious of the social media posts throughout Sunday’s sport and have been “in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.”
On Sunday, social media posts went viral alleging that Franco, 22, had been in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
Franco was out of the lineup on Sunday however remained within the Rays’ dugout at Tropicana Field for the primary 5 innings of their 9-2 loss to the Guardians. As the allegations surfaced and unfold on social media, Franco left the ballpark earlier than the sport ended. Manager Kevin Cash mentioned earlier than the sport it was “just a day off” for the All-Star shortstop and repeated as a lot after the sport.
“I’m aware of the speculation. I’m not going to comment any further on that,” Cash mentioned. “But the time without work was as a result of [it was] a time without work.”
