Fastball

Tampa Bay Rays Erasing Wander Franco Signage From Tropicana Field

After being placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball on Tuesday, Wander Franco is essentially being erased from Tropicana Field by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Brady Farkas|
Tampa Bay Rays Erasing Wander Franco Signage From Tropicana Field
Tampa Bay Rays Erasing Wander Franco Signage From Tropicana Field

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Tampa Bay Rays

Earlier on Tuesday, Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball as investigations continue into his alleged inappropriate relationships with minors. 

This decision does not officially end Franco's season, but it absolutely could if his stay on the list is extended. 

On Tuesday afternoon, the Rays took the steps to essentially erase any signs of Franco from Tropicana Field.

Per Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:

Signs of #Rays Wander Franco are disappearing at the Trop - the banner of him on the rotunda was replaced by Yandy Diaz, the elevator wrap is now Fairbanks. Sign at Ferg’s across street also down. Franco does still have a locker in clubhouse.

Franco is one of the best young players in baseball and is supposed to be the key building block of the Rays future - one that is now up in the air.

We saw a report recently suggest that Franco may never play in the majors again at all.

Franco is hitting .281 this year with 17 homers, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases. He made his first All-Star Game this season and is a major reason why the Rays have been one of the best teams in baseball this year.

Without him, the Rays are down their offensive leader, as well as three of their top starting pitchers.

Tampa Bay enters play on Tuesday at 75-51 and in the driver's seat for the first wild card spot in the American League.

They'll play the Rockies on Tuesday night at 6:40 p.m. ET.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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