ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Not surprisingly, Wander Franco’s status as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays remains unclear. The 22-year-old shortstop was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball.
“We support Major League Baseball’s decision to place Wander Franco on administration leave,” the team said in a statement Tuesday morning. “The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and supporters as this process unfolds.”
Franco was placed on the restricted list August 14 after social media posts surfaced the day before suggesting the Rays shortstop had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The posts triggered investigations by MLB and officials in the Dominican Republic.
In the news: Rays’ Offense Doing Just Fine Without Wander Franco
The move from the restricted list to administrative leave means Franco is under MLB control as the investigation continues. It is a move made with the players union’s blessing and is part of a joint MLB/MLBPA domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy adopted in 2015.
Franco last played August 12. He had what manager Kevin Cash said was a day off August 13, the day the social media posts surfaced.
The Rays, who are three games behind Baltimore in the American League East, begin a six-game homestand Tuesday night when they play the first of three against the Rockies. The Yankees follow Colorado for a three-game weekend series at Tropicana Field.
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