The Tampa Bay Rays released an official statement on Sunday regarding allegations circulating on social media concerning their star shortstop, Wander Franco. The team acknowledged being “made aware” of these posts and stated that Major League Baseball (MLB) is actively conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
In their statement, the Rays emphasized their commitment to taking the situation seriously and maintaining close communication with MLB throughout its due diligence process. Rays’ manager Kevin Cash also weighed in on the situation after the team’s loss to the Guardians on Sunday. While acknowledging the speculation, Cash refrained from making any direct comments. He clarified that Franco’s absence from the lineup that day was planned as a scheduled day off and not indicative of any underlying issues.
Instead of Franco manning the shortstop position, the Rays introduced rookie infielder Osleivis Basabe, who made his debut during the game against the Guardians. This move came as a surprise, as Basabe had been recalled just before the game, resulting in the demotion of left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming.
Interestingly, Franco did not accompany the team on their flight to San Francisco ahead of their upcoming series against the Giants, according to ESPN sources. The Rays are scheduled for a three-game series at Oracle Park, commencing Monday night.
Wander Franco, a 22-year-old phenom, cemented his commitment to the Rays with an 11-year extension signed in November 2021. This season, Franco earned his first All-Star Game selection and has displayed impressive performance with a batting average of .281, an on-base percentage of .344, and a slugging percentage of .475 across 112 games.
As MLB continues its investigation into the social media allegations surrounding Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays remain vigilant in ensuring transparency and integrity within the sport.
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