Rays shortstop Wander Franco was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right quadriceps strain, the team announced Tuesday. The club also selected right-hander Shawn Armstrong from Triple-A Durham and designated left-hander Ben Bowden for assignment.
Franco was rounding first base after hitting what would have been a double when he felt his quad tighten up. He said through interpreter Manny Navarro that he’d initially been capitalizing on off-days to avoid the IL.
“It kind of scares me a little bit to go on the IL,” Franco said. “I think that’s maybe why I haven’t been playing as well as I have been because I’m scared to go on the IL.”
After going 2-for-13 against the Yankees over the weekend, Franco matched a season-high three hits against the Rangers on Monday with two RBIs and a walk.