NEW YORK (AP) — Shortstop Wander Franco came off the 10-day disabled list after missing two months with the Tampa Bay Rays because of a hamate problem in his right hand that required surgery.
The 21-year-old Dominican was second in the batting order in Friday night’s game, first of the series against the American League East-leading New York Yankees.
On the first pitch he faced, Franco hit a double and sent the ball into a hole in right-center field.
“We are excited to have him back. He is an important part of our club,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He makes us better in the lineup. He makes us better defensively; we will see how he turns out.”
Franco was placed on the disabled list on July 10. In mid-August, he had been sent to Triple-A Durham for a rehab stint that was canceled in the first game when the top prospect felt a sore hand. He resumed his involvement with Durham last Sunday and went 6-for-11 in three games.
“I’d be surprised if you don’t feel it. He’s going to feel it,” Cash said. “I don’t think he’ll be gone until maybe training next spring. It is a surgery in which a bone was removed so it is logical that he is feeling something. The important thing now is how he can cope with it and how we can help him do so.”
Brandon Lowe was glad to have Franco back, with whom he has made double plays.
“It feels like we could have a full team now,” according to Lowe.
Franco agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November after he finished third in voting for AL Rookie of the Year.
Before the game of the day, Franco had batted .260, five runs and 23 produced in 58 commitments.
Second-place Tampa Bay nearly released Taiwanese infielder Yu Chang and sent Venezuelan right-hander Yonny Chirinos to Triple-A Durham.
Chirinos will remain with the Rays roster as a member of the group of substitute players that will alternate between the Major League club and the Triple-A affiliate.
Cash said in reference to Chang that “he has fulfilled everything that we have asked of him.” “It seems to me that he has delivered on every defensive play. He has gotten some big hits.”
