Tampa Bay Rays star infielder Wander Franco has been out since mid-July after fracturing his hamate bone on his right wrist.
That injury is notorious for sapping power off hitters for at least a few months.
Franco was initially given a loose 5-8 week timetable, and it looked like he could be back closer to the five-week end.
Those plans are now dismissed, as the talented youngster recently experienced soreness in the area and what was initially seen as a minor bump in the road is now closer to a setback.
“#Rays Cash said no set date for Franco to resume rehab with AAA @DurhamBulls, but it won’t be until after the weekend at the soonest,” Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted.
#Rays Cash said no set date for Franco to resume rehab with AAA @DurhamBulls, but it won’t be until after the weekend at the soonest
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 25, 2022
The Rays Will Be Very Careful With Their Prized Infielder
The Rays will probably hold Franco out of rehab games as long as they need because their priority is to have him ready for the stretch run in September and for the postseason, if they end up making it.
As of Thursday afternoon, they are in a good position to do so, but if they want to advance past the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees, the Cleveland Guardians or the Toronto Blue Jays, they will need to have a healthy Franco.
The impressive shortstop hasn’t had a particularly good season, with a .260 batting average, 34 runs, five home runs, 23 RBI, five stolen bases, and a .704 OPS.
He is capable of much, much more than that, and the Rays (and the rest of the league) know it.
To achieve his full potential, however, he will need to be healthy, and he is dealing with a problematic injury that could significantly hinder his ability to hit.
NEXT: The Rays Continue To Fly Under The Radar