MLB

Rays 'optimistic' on Franco status for Opening Day after MRI on quad injury

By Sports Desk March 27, 2023

The Tampa Bay Rays are "optimistic" emerging shortstop Wander Franco will be available for their Opening Day game with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday despite a quad injury concern.

Franco, 22, underwent an MRI on Sunday which Rays manager Kevin Cash said returned "favourable" results.

Despite the good results, Cash said Franco would not play in Tampa Bay's spring training game against the New York Yankees on Monday but was hopeful of their season opener against the Tigers.

"We've got three days to treat him," Cash told the Tampa Bay Times. "I don't think anything's been decided.

"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.

"Three days off in a row for him. Maybe get him out there that last day and take [batting practice] and see how he feels, but I'm pretty optimistic."

Franco had been scratched from the lineup for Saturday's spring training game against the Boston Red Sox due to right quadriceps soreness, although the Rays called that precautionary.

The 22-year-old has been a revelation for the Rays since debuting in 2021, including tying Frank Robinson (1956) for the longest on-base streak (43 games) in AL/NL history by a player 20 years old or younger.

Franco finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, before hitting .277 with six home runs and 33 RBIs in 2022.

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