Dynamic Young Shortstop Could Miss 6-to-8 Weeks

A bad break for the Tampa Bay Rays as they try to hang tight in a crowded AL Wild Card picture. A key member of their lineup, dynamic shortstop Wander Franco, could miss 6-to-8 weeks if his broken hamate bone requires surgery. 

#Rays Wander Franco is going on the IL according to manager Kevin Cash with what he thinks is a hamate fracture.

If it is a hamate fracture he will be out 6-8 weeks.

— MLB Center (@MjrLeagueCenter) July 10, 2022

Franco will see a hand specialist on Monday. The injury occurred "on a simple swing" in the first inning of Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Franco fouled off a 100 mph fastball from Hunter Greene, then winced and bent over in the batter’s box, shaking his right hand.

The 21-year-old phenom already missed a month earlier this season with a quad strain, so another extended absence is the last thing he or the Rays need. 

Baseball players above a certain skill level should have their hamate bones replaced with a tungsten facsimile. This is too stupid an injury to lose Wander Franco to.

— Michael Baumann (@MichaelBaumann) July 10, 2022

The injury also means his 10-game hitting streak is snapped. Franco is batting .260 this season, slowed by the quad issue earlier, with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs along with 5 stolen bases. 

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