WANDER FRANCO NEWS

First stolen base since return Franco went 0-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base Thursday against the Twins.

Impact Franco went hitless for the first time in his last 11 starts, though his performance was still notable because he swiped his 22nd bag of the season. It was his first stolen base attempt since returning from a minor hamstring injury May 5. In addition to his speed, Franco has also matched his highest homer total in a single season with seven across only 265 plate appearances.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two hits in return Franco went 2-for-4 with a double in Monday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Franco picked up where he left off Monday after missing Tampa Bay's previous two games with a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old shortstop has hits in nine straight contests, going 17-for-35 (.486) with a 1.176 OPS in that span. Franco has emerged as an elite fantasy option this season -- he's slashing .308/.372/.498 with seven homers, 21 stolen bases, 29 RBI and 37 runs scored through 253 plate appearances.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Monday Franco (hamstring) is back in the lineup for Monday's contest in Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Rays lost Brandon Lowe (back) to the injured list Monday, but there's good news with the other half of their double-play combo with Franco returning to action. He missed a couple games with a hamstring issue. Franco is batting second and playing shortstop against Brayan Bello.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Sunday's lineup Franco (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The 22-year-old sat out Game 2 of Saturday's twin bill due to the hamstring injury he picked up during the matinee, and it's not a major surprise the Rays will give him at least one full day to rest up. The severity of the injury has yet to be disclosed, so it's unclear if Franco is expected to miss much time. Taylor Walls will make another start at shortstop Sunday for Tampa Bay.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hamstring issue Franco will be absent from the lineup for the evening portion of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox due to a hamstring injury, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Franco returned from a minor shoulder injury in the afternoon contest and looked healthy, grabbing three hits and scoring a pair of runs. He wasn't removed from the game at any point but evidently picked up at least another minor knock. It remains to be see whether or not this particular issue will require a trip to the injured list. Taylor Walls will move to shortstop for Saturday's nightcap, with Isaac Paredes entering the lineup at third base.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Franco (shoulder) will return to the lineup for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, batting second and playing shortstop, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Ti...

Impact Franco hadn't played since Tuesday due to a minor left shoulder injury. He was set to return Friday but had to wait one more day after that game got rained out. It's possible the Rays won't ask him to start twice in one day immediately after his return, but he'll be taking part in at least one contest, squaring off against Garrett Whitlock.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Friday Franco (shoulder) is back in the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

Impact Franco missed Wednesday's series finale against the Cubs due to left shoulder discomfort, but the issue has proven to be minor. He will start at shortstop and bat second Friday versus the Red Sox and right-hander Garrett Whitlock. The 22-year-old rising star boasts a .298/.362/.482 slash line with seven home runs and 20 stolen bases through 55 games this season for Tampa Bay.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tending to left shoulder injury Rays manager Kevin Cash said Franco is being held out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs due to the infielder's left shoulder being "a little dinged up," Marc Topk...

Impact Cash said he still expects Franco will be available off the bench Wednesday, so the 22-year-old's absence from the lineup could be more maintenance-related than out of any legitimate concern about the shoulder issue, which he picked up while sliding into home plate in Tuesday's 2-1 loss. The Rays are off Thursday before returning to action in Boston on Friday, when Franco will most likely be back in the lineup at shortstop.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resting in series finale Franco is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact With an off day coming Thursday, Rays manager Kevin Cash likely viewed Wednesday's day game as an optimal time to rest Franco, who had started in each of the last 12 games. Taylor Walls will spell Franco at shortstop in the series finale after Franco extended his hitting streak to seven and also chipped in his 20th stolen base of the season in Tuesday's 2-1 loss.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records 19th theft Franco went 1-for-4 with a stolen base Monday in a loss to the Cubs.

Impact Franco notched Tampa Bay's only hit of the game, breaking up Marcus Stroman's no-hitter in the seventh inning with a leadoff single. The speedy shortstop proceeded to steal second base but didn't advance any further. Franco extended his hitting streak to six games with the base knock, and he's swiped five bags over that span. He ranks third in the majors with 19 thefts on the campaign.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Triple, two steals in win Franco went 1-for-2 with a triple, two runs scored and two steals in Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Impact Franco ripped a one-out triple in the first inning before scoring the game's first run on a Randy Arozarena base hit. The 22-year-old Franco would later draw a pair of walks and tallied two of the Rays' seven stolen bases in the contest. Franco finished the four-game set against Toronto 6-for-14 with two triples and three stolen bases. He's slashing a stellar .288/.355/.490 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and 30 runs scored while going 17-for-22 in stolen base attempts.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy offensive day in win Franco went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, one run scored and one steal in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Impact Franco singled in his first at-bat and scored the first run of the game on an RBI knock by Isaac Paredes. The shortstop walked his next time up and proceeded to steal second but was stranded to end the second inning. He added run-scoring singles in the fourth and eighth to extend Tampa Bay's lead, marking his fifth game with at least three hits this season. Franco has been as advertised to start 2023, slashing .286/.347/.480 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Thursday's lineup Franco is absent from the Rays' lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It's Franco's first day off this month after he played each of the last 15 contests. Taylor Walls will be at shortstop.

MAY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs two steals Wednesday Franco went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks and thefts in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Impact Franco didn't get a hit in the contest, but he took advantage of a pair of walks by swiping second base after each one. The shortstop has racked up seven thefts over his past 10 games, and he hasn't been caught attempting to steal over that span. On the season, Franco's 14 stolen bases are tied for third-most in the majors.

MAY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out twice Friday Franco went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Friday against the Yankees.

Impact Franco exited Thursday's game against the Yankees with a neck injury but was able to immediately return to the lineup. He had a subpar performance Friday and struck out multiple times in a game for the sixth time this season. That's hardly a reason for concern, however, as he has a .307/.36/.536 line across 168 plate appearances on the campaign.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In Friday's lineup Franco (neck) is in the Rays' lineup for Friday's game versus the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Franco was forced from Thursday's game with neck spasms, but he's feeling well enough a day later to be back in action. The youngster is playing shortstop and batting second against Gerrit Cole.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MLB's (early) five most valuable players of 2023

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MAY 12, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Hopes to play Friday Franco (neck) hopes to play Friday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Franco exited the game in the fifth inning but spoke to reporters after the game and said he was feeling better. Both he and manager Kevin Cash said it's possible that he will be able to return to the lineup Friday.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs 12th steal Franco went 2-for-3 with one steal in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Yankees.

Impact Franco started off strong with both hits and a steal in the first three innings. Unfortunately no one was on base and no one drove Franco home. The shortstop is having a career year with 12 stolen bases and seven homers. Ronald Acuna is the only other player with those numbers in 2023.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with neck spasms Franco exited Thursday's game against the Yankees with neck spasms and tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Franco was removed in the fifth inning after appearing uncomfortable during an at-bat. He'll be re-evaluated Friday, but there's no further detail for the time being. If Franco is forced to miss additional time, Isaac Paredes is a potential playing time winner.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Thursday's game Franco exited Thursday's game against the Yankees with an apparent neck injury, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Franco exited in the fifth inning after appearing uncomfortable during an at-bat. There are no further details regarding the issue or the potential severity. Isaac Paredes entered the game in Franco's place to play third base, while Taylor Walls shifted to shortstop.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two steals in loss Franco went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two steals in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Orioles.

Impact Franco swiped a bag both times he reached base and is now up to 11 on the year, which is tied for sixth best in baseball. The 22-year-old seems to have added base stealing to his repertoire after combining for only 10 steals across 153 games in his past two seasons combined. Franco has now hit safely in six straight games and is now slashing .310/.369/.552 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 23 runs and a 12:24 BB:K over 160 plate appearances.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homer, steal in loss Franco went 2-for-5 with a home run and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss against the Orioles.

Impact Franco opened the scoring Tuesday with a solo homer in the first inning. The longball was Franco's seventh of the year, matching his career high in just 137 at-bats this season. The 22-year-old shortstop would later swipe his ninth base, setting another new personal best. Franco has been on a tear, going 13-for-36 with three home runs and four stolen bases in his last nine games. He's now slashing .310/.365/.556 with 22 RBI and 23 runs scored through 156 plate appearances this year.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE