PT TOMORROW: AL East — Is Tampa's SS Wander-ing Off?

Tampa Bay Rays

One has to give manager Kevin Cash the benefit of the doubt that the message sent to Wander Franco (SS, TAM) by benching him for not handling his frustration well, leading to confrontations with his teammates, will be received in the manner it was intended.

Assuming that is true, the involuntary vacation will be a quickly forgotten blip, and it will be onward and upward for a player in whom the Rays are heavily invested (11 years, $182 million).

But for what it is worth, something seemed to be up with Franco in the days leading up to the benching. Franco is known for his ability to make contact, but in those previous four games, he had struck out in nearly half of his at-bats (1-for-15, 7 K).

Franco returned to the lineup...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

This week's NL West column takes a close look at 2 prospects from each team who will likely play in the majors this year.
Mar 21 2026 3:06am
If JJ Wetherholt can't hang on to the leadoff spot who steps up in St. Louis?
Mar 20 2026 3:07am
Has White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci raised his profile by playing for Team Italy in the WBC? Plus, updates on the CLE rotation, Jace Jung's good spring in DET, lack of SP depth in KC, and Bailey Ober's velocity concerns in MIN.
Mar 19 2026 3:05am
As spring training comes to an end, the A's rotation appears to be rounding into form.
Mar 18 2026 3:07am
First base in Miami has been a hard position to rule for years, but a few players are vying for the crown. Plus: Riley in ATL; RF at NYM; CF in PHI; Littell in WAS; more.
Mar 17 2026 3:07am

Tools