MLB investigated Wander Franco and placed him on the restricted list after social media posts questioned his relationship with a younger lady
After a 10-2 win over the Giants on Monday night, the Rays began a three-game series in San Francisco without Franco, 22.
Legal issues might lead to teams using the restricted list to remove players from their squad.
Team sources told ESPN that the Rays are paying Franco's $2 million contract despite not having to.
The team noted, "The Tampa Bay Rays and Wander Franco have mutually agreed that he will go on the Restricted List
Franco's alleged contact with the woman in the Dominican Republic, where he grew up, is being investigated by the league's department of investigations.
To The Associated Press, the Dominican Republic's media office of the attorney general said "there are investigations regarding that matter."
Franco started the game in the bench and left in the fifth inning on Sunday, which Rays manager Kevin Cash claimed was a prearranged day off.
Cash said he was confidence in his club's ability to focus on baseball on Monday but declined to discuss the situation.