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, we discuss the return of Heliot Ramos to a crowded lineup situation in San Francisco, and the playing time outlook for prospects throughout the NL West.
Jun 27 2026 3:06am
Andrew Painter must hone his technique back in the minors before we can expect to see any MLB masterworks. Plus: 3B in WAS; SP in ATL; C/DH in MIA; 2B at NYM; more.
Jun 26 2026 9:56am
The Cubs are hoping Peterson can help stabilize a rotation battered by injuries.
Jun 26 2026 3:05am
Journeyman Ryan Kreidler appears to be taking over at SS for the Twins. Plus, bullpen problems in Chicago, checking in on CJ Kayfus and Bo Naylor in CLE, a possible six-man rotation in DET, and Matthew Lugo tearing it up in Triple-A for KC.
Jun 25 2026 3:05am
Denzer Guzman has helped shake up the infield in Anaheim and may be locking down a regular role at 3B.
Jun 24 2026 3:05am

Tools