The Rays are optimistic that shortstop Wander Franco will be ready to go for Tampa Bay’s season opener against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday after results he received from an MRI on Sunday came back “favorable,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Franco, 22, was scratched from Saturday’s Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox due to soreness. He then received the MRI on Sunday morning, which yielded positive results.
“We’re optimistic that if we can get this thing treated the right way, we should be in a spot where he’s good to go,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told the Tampa Bay Times.
Franco batted .277 with six homers and 33 RBIs in 83 games last season. He spent time on the injured list with a right quad strain and later a broken bone in his right hand.
Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract following the 2021 season, when he finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting after batting .288 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 70 games.
–Field Level Media
