The Tampa Bay Rays have placed shortstop Wander Franco on indefinite administrative leave, the team announced on Tuesday. The move comes after Franco was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Hillsborough County, Florida, on Sunday.
Franco, 20, is one of the top prospects in baseball and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He is considered one of the best young players in the game and is expected to be a cornerstone of the Rays’ future.
The Rays released a statement on Tuesday, saying that they are “disappointed” in Franco’s actions and that they take the matter “very seriously.” The team also said that they are “working with the appropriate authorities” and that they will “continue to monitor the situation.”
Franco is currently on the Rays’ 40-man roster and was expected to compete for a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. He has yet to make his major league debut, but he has been impressive in the minors, hitting .327 with 11 home runs and a .919 OPS in 2019.
The Rays have not yet announced a timeline for Franco’s return, but it is likely that he will miss some time while the team investigates the incident. It is unclear if he will face any disciplinary action from the team or the league.
The Rays are hoping that Franco can put this incident behind him and focus on his development as a player. He is a key part of the team’s future and the Rays will need him to be at his best if they are to compete for a championship in the coming years.
