The Tampa Bay Rays are likely to be without All-Star shortstop Wander Franco for the rest of the season after the league officially put him on leave pending an investigation into some worrisome allegations in his home country of the Dominican Republic.
The Tampa Bay Rays are only behind the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the American League in 2023. The franchise has had a fantastic showing this season as they again head toward the playoffs as a serious contender to reach the World Series in October.
Related: MLB games today – Get watch times and odds for tonight’s MLB action
However, last week those chances to reach the championship series were hit with some doubt when it was revealed that All-Star infielder Wander Franco was being put on the restricted list by the team after some questionable social media interactions with an underage female came to light. The decision was mutual between him and the team and came after MLB decided to open an investigation into the allegations.
Tampa Bay Rays record (2023): 75-51
On Tuesday, another hammer dropped on the 22-year-old star when ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that “Major League Baseball has placed Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on administrative leave as the league and authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate Franco’s alleged relationships with underaged girls.”
- Wander Franco stats (2023): .281 AVG, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 30 SB
The announcement of the leave notes that it is “until further notice” but since administrative leave is not disciplinary, he will still be paid and accrue service time while away from the team.
In his third season with the Rays, Franco earned his first trip to the All-Star game and he posted a slash line of .281, .344, .475, with 17 home runs, 58 runs batted in, and 30 stolen bases. Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November of 2021 that made him the youngest MLB player to sign a $100 million deal.