MLB looking into social media ‘speculation’ around Rays’ Wander Franco

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Main League Baseball is wanting into social media posts involving Rays shortstop Wander Franco, Tampa Bay mentioned Sunday.

Franco didn’t play in Sunday’s 9-2 loss to Cleveland.

“Throughout right now’s recreation, we have been made conscious of the social media posts which can be circulating concerning Wander Franco,” the Rays mentioned in an announcement. “We take the scenario critically and are in shut contact with Main League Baseball because it conducts its due diligence.”

Tampa Bay didn’t element the character of the social media posts.

Osleivis Basabe began at shortstop on Sunday within the 22-year-old’s main league debut.

Basabe, who went 1 for 3 with a double, discovered he was being introduced up throughout his recreation Saturday night time with Triple-A Durham.

Franco began Sunday’s recreation within the Rays’ dugout, then left it within the fifth inning.

Sunday’s promotion at Tropicana Subject was the Wander Franco Snapback Hat for followers 14 and underneath.

After the sport, Rays supervisor Kevin Money was requested whether or not there was any subject with Franco not taking part in apart from an everyday break day.

Money replied: “No.”

“I’m conscious of the hypothesis, and I’m not going to remark any additional on that,” Money mentioned. “The break day was as a result of (it was) a break day.”

Franco was benched for 2 video games in late June by the Rays for the way he has responded to irritating conditions and never being one of the best teammate at occasions.

Tampa Bay signed the 22-year outdated to an $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021, a cope with a staff choice for 2033 that may very well be price $223 million.

Franco, an AL All-Star this season, is hitting .281 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and is 30 for 40 in stolen base makes an attempt in 112 video games.