Wander Franco goes on restricted list, to miss Rays-Giants amid probe

Wander Franco goes on restricted list, to miss Rays-Giants amid probe originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Rays will be without their All-Star shortstop during their three-game series with the Giants at Oracle Park, set to begin Monday.

Wander Franco did not travel on the Rays team plane to San Francisco, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Sunday, citing sources, as MLB looks into social media posts involving the 22-year-old.

"During today's game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco," the Rays said in a statement Sunday. "We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence."

On Monday, the Rays announced Franco will go on the restricted list for the duration of the team's six-game road trip, which also includes a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels. Per Passan, Franco's placement on the restricted list is, in most cases, unpaid.

While the Rays didn't go into detail about the nature of the posts, The Athletic reported online posts went viral Sunday that alleged Franco engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

Franco did not play in Tampa Bay's game against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, then left during the fifth inning and did not speak to media afterward, per ESPN. Rays manager Kevin Cash told media after the game there was no issue regarding Franco not playing other than a normal day off.

"I'm aware of the speculation, and I'm not going to comment any further on that," Cash said (h/t ESPN). "The day off was because [it was] a day off."

So far during the 2023 MLB season, Franco is slashing .281/.344/.475 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases. The third-year pro earned his first All-Star nod this season and is in the second year of an 11-year, $182 million contract.

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