Jeff Passan, ESPN
Main League Baseball introduced an investigation into Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and the group positioned him at the limited checklist then social media posts puzzled the alleged nature of a dating between Franco and a more youthful lady, resources common with the status instructed ESPN.
Franco, 22, didn’t produce the commute with the Rays to San Francisco, the place they start a three-game form Monday, resources instructed ESPN. Groups can virtue the limited checklist, which takes a participant off the group’s roster, for numerous conditions, together with possible felony issues.
Date groups aren’t required to pay avid gamers who’re at the limited checklist, the Rays are proceeding to pay Franco’s $2 million wage, resources instructed ESPN.
In a observation, the group stated: “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 league’s inquiry, performed by way of its section of investigations, is taking a look into a lot of social media posts relating to Franco’s alleged dating with the lady within the Dominican Republic, the place he grew up.
Franco didn’t play games Sunday, which Rays supervisor Kevin Money stated was once a deliberate age off, and then foundation the sport within the dugout he left within the 5th inning. He didn’t discuss with the media then the sport.
In November 2021, the Rays and Franco correct on an 11-year, $182 million pledge extension 70 video games into his occupation. Franco has been probably the most fruitful avid gamers in MLB this season, batting .281/.344/.475 with 17 house runs, 58 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases, and made his first All-Celebrity group.
