The Rays announced Monday afternoon that Wander Franco will go on the Restricted List and will not be with the team during its six-game West Coast trip to San Francisco and Anaheim that gets underway tonight against the Giants.
In a statement, the Rays added, “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 not in the lineup for Sunday afternoon’s 9-2 loss to Cleveland on Wander Franco Snapback Hat Day at Tropicana Field. The 22-year-old shortstop was the subject of social media allegations that he had inappropriate contact with a minor.
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After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Franco’s absence from the lineup was “just a day off.”
Franco, who has a seven-game hit streak during which he is batting .517 (15-for-29) with three homers, was benched for two games in June. At the time, Cash said, “He’s a young player that is learning and dealing with the challenges of being a major league player and some of the frustrations that come with it.”
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