Confirmed: Tampa Bay Rays Star To Have Surgery And Miss Up To 8 Weeks

This is what the Tampa Bay Rays feared when their young stud shortstop injured his hamate bone on an innocent-looking swing. 

#Rays Franco will have surgery Tuesday to repair hamate, will be out 5-8 weeks

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2022

Wander Franco Jr. will require surgery to repair the hamate, meaning he'll be out of the lineup for 5-8 weeks. That means a timeline of late August to early September for his return. For a team that's battling tooth and nail for a Wild Card spot, and already missing their starting center fielder as well, that's a tough blow.

The injury occurred after he fouled off a 100 mph pitch from Cincinnati Reds rookie Hunter Greene.

The 21-year-old Franco signed an 11-year, $182M extension in the offseason, coming off his solid rookie campaign, which began to deliver on the promise of his long-held top prospect in baseball status. He batted .288 with an .810 OPS.

But injuries have seriously curtailed his sophomore campaign. He missed a month earlier this season with a quad strain, and now this. Franco has played in 58 games, but the quad injury seems to have taken its toll on the youngster, as he hasn't quite lived up to his billing, batting just .260 with a .704 OPS, five home runs and five stolen bases.

Taylor Walls will take on most of the shortstop duties in Franco's absence. 

Photo Credit:  Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports