Sports
Rays’ Franco exits Yankees game with neck issue
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Joon Lee, ESPN
NEW YORK — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco left Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees with tightness and spasms on the right side of his neck.
Franco exited the game after hitting a single in the fifth inning off Yankees starter Domingo German. Upon arriving at first base, Franco, who had gone 2-for-3 in the game, grimaced and grabbed at his neck with his left arm.
“He wanted to stay in, he wanted to play, but he’s not the guy we want to take risk irritating it even more,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ll treat it; there’s a chance he’s playing in there tomorrow.”
The 22-year-old has been one of the best players in baseball this season, hitting .310/.369/.552 with seven home runs while leading all position players with 2.5 bWAR.
Tampa Bay, which leads the American League East and has the best record in major league baseball, went on to win the game 8-2 to improve to 29-9 on the season.