3 players who are on the restricted list feat. Yandy Diaz

Though the term may evoke feelings of confusion, the MLB restricted list applies to a variety of different situations. It is also where some of today's biggest baseball names find themselves.

Players on the restricted list are those who are unable to compete for their MLB club and are therefore inactive. The reasons that individual players are placed on the restricted list can be personal or legal reasons, or because they left the team without a good reason.

Today, we will be looking at three examples of players who find themselves on restricted lists across MLB.

Three MLB Players Currently on the Restricted List

Yu Darvish

Set to turn 38 in August, San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish has been a strong point on his team's struggling rotation, even if injuries have limited the five-time All-Star to just eleven starts. While groin issues have kept him out of play since May 29, the Padres announced on July 6 that the Japanese flamethrower would be heading to the restricted list to attend to “a personal matter involving his family.”

"Padres manager Mike Shildt announces that Yu Darvish will be going on the restricted list as he deals with a personal matter:" - 97.3 The Fan

Under contract with the Padres until 2028, Darvish is 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA through 56.1 innings during the 2024 MLB season.

Yandy Diaz

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz's 104 hits and 21 doubles lead his club on both counts this season. Now, few can predict when the Cuban might see MLB action again.

"The Tampa Bay Rays have placed INF Yandy Díaz on the restricted list and recalled INF Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham." - Rays Communications

Diaz was conspicuously absent from his team's game against the New York Yankees. After it was explained that he was attending to a personal matter, Diaz was placed on the restricted list on Saturday, where he will remain "indefinitely." The 32-year-old is hitting .273/.329/.396 with 8 home runs and 46 RBIs.

Wander Franco

Perhaps the most widely-known instance of an MLB player currently on the restricted list, August 17 will mark one year since Rays shortstop Wander Franco made his last MLB outing against the Cleveland Guardians.

"Is Wander Franco officially the biggest bust in Tampa Bay sports history? #iHeartRadio" - Nick Wize

Franco remains imbued in a legal battle in his native Dominican Republic regarding a scandal that broke last year. A woman who claimed to be underaged alleged a romantic relationship with Wander Franco, leading to the Rays placing the 22-year-old on administrative lead.

At the start of the 2024 season, with the trial ongoing, Franco was moved to the restricted list. At this point, it is unclear if the 2023 AL All-Star will ever play in MLB again, despite inking an eleven-year, $182 million deal in 2021.