The Latest on the Ongoing Saga Involving Tampa Bay Rays Star Wander Franco

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco did not join the team as they traveled to San Francisco for a series with the Giants.

On Sunday, serious allegations came out on the internet regarding Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

You can read more on that story here.

While details are scarce at this moment, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan did add that Franco did not join the Rays on their trip to the West Coast.

Per Passan on X (formerly known as Twitter):

Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco did not travel on the team plane to San Francisco, where the Rays will start a series with the Giants tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Rays earlier said MLB is doing “due diligence” concerning social media posts from earlier today about Franco.

Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco did not travel on the team plane to San Francisco, where the Rays will start a series with the Giants tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Rays earlier said MLB is doing “due diligence” concerning social media posts from earlier today about Franco.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 14, 2023

Passan also added this:

MLB is looking into the social media posts and has yet to verify the information. This early in the process, without confirmed facts, Franco could be placed on the restricted list or administrative leave. The Rays, when asked about Franco not being on the plane, declined comment.

MLB is looking into the social media posts and has yet to verify the information. This early in the process, without confirmed facts, Franco could be placed on the restricted list or administrative leave. The Rays, when asked about Franco not being on the plane, declined comment.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 14, 2023

There is certainly more to learn here but from a pure baseball perspective, this is a devastating break for the Rays.

One of the best young players in baseball, Franco is hitting .281 this year with 17 homers, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

The 22-year-old is a catalyst for a Rays team that has already lost multiple pitchers for the season. 

Tampa Bay enters play on Monday at 71-49 and 3.0 games back in the American League East.

They'll take on the Giants on Monday at 9:45 p.m. ET.

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