Rays’ Wander Franco leaves game vs. Yankees with neck tightness

Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco left Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees with an apparent injury to his neck.

The Rays later said Franco has right-side neck spasms/ tightness and will be re-evaluated Friday.

Franco was shown on camera slowly turning his neck and grimacing while standing on first base after hitting a single in the third inning.

Isaac Paredes replaced Franco in the lineup, playing third base. Taylor Walls moved from third to Franco’s shortstop position.

After the game, manager Kevin Cash said “there’s a chance” Franco would be back in the lineup on Friday.

Franco — who had two hits before his injury — is hitting .310/.369/.552 in 36 games this season for the MLB-leading Rays, with seven home runs, 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases.