ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco He suffered a setback, and was forced to leave Triple-A Durham’s rehab assignment on Sunday because of ongoing hand soreness.
Franco, who was placed on the injured-list July 10 after sustaining a right hamate bone fracture that required surgery, hasn’t played since Tuesday, when he suffered from the soreness.
Franco, 21, will return to St. Petersburg in Florida for additional treatment.
Franco was not given a time frame for his return to playing.
Franco tried out on-field bat practice for the first times since his Aug. 14 surgery. Franco said that he felt great after the session, except for when he took right-handed swings.
Franco missed 23 games this year due to strained quadriceps. Franco has a.260 batting average and five homers, along with 23 RBIs in 58 games in 2022.
Franco signed a $182 million 11-year contract in November. It also includes a club option for 2033. If the club option is taken, the deal could be worth as much as $223 million.
He hit.288 last year with 18 doubles, seven triples, seven homers, and 39 RBIs in 70 games. He was third in the American League’s Rookie of Year voting.
Franco compiled a 43-game streak of on-base to tie Cincinnati’s Frank Robinson (1956), for the longest major league record among players under 21.