Franco signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball League on Thursday, Gaijin Baseball reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franco has struggled in the majors the last two seasons and was ultimately released by the Nationals late in the 2022 campaign. He'll now head overseas in an attempt to revitalize his career. Given that Franco is 30 years old, he may find any future opportunities in the MLB difficult to come by.

Franco was released by the Nationals on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franco has operated as Washington's primary third baseman for most of the season, but he hasn't started a game since Aug. 14 and has now been released. The 29-year-old has a .229/.255/.342 slash line with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 103 games this year.

Franco is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Franco is on the bench for the fourth time in seven games and looks to have moved into the No. 2 role at third base behind Ildemaro Vargas. Given the limited defensive flexibility Franco offers in a backup role, he could be in danger of getting designated for assignment if the Nationals need to clear room on the 40-man roster at any point in the final six weeks of the season.

Franco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Franco has alternated starts at third base with Ildemaro Vargas over the past five games, and that trend will continue Sunday after Franco went 1-for-4 with a strikeout during Saturday's contest. Vargas is 6-for-9 in three games since having his contract selected by Washington on Aug. 1, and Franco's playing time could dwindle further if Vargas continues to play well.

Franco is not in the lineup Friday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASN Nationals reports.

EDGE Analysis

Franco is 3-for-27 with a run and a stolen base since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Friday for the second time in the past three games. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the hot corner and could see more consistent playing time going forward given Franco's struggles.

Franco went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old stayed right on schedule in the stolen base department -- Franco's never swiped more than one bag in a season, but he's recorded that one steal in every even-numbered year since 2016 while skipping the odd-numbered years in between. His .598 OPS is the worst mark of his career, however, and he's found himself on the bench for five of the last 11 games as a result. As the Nationals add more young infielders like CJ Abrams to the roster down the stretch, Franco's playing time could dwindle even further.

Franco isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Franco started the last two games and went 0-for-7 with a strikeout. He'll get a breather while Ildemaro Vargas starts at the hot corner and bats ninth.

Franco is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Franco is 2-for-18 with five strikeouts since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Sunday for the fourth time in the past seven games. Ehire Adrianza will receive another start at the hot corner for the Nationals.

Franco is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Franco has a .439 OPS through 17 games in July and will take a seat Friday for the third time in Washington's past five contests. Ehire Adrianza will receive another start at the hot corner, though his .537 OPS in July hardly gives him much of an edge for playing time over Franco.

Franco isn't starting Monday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Franco went 1-for-6 with two strikeouts over the two games following the All-Star break, but he'll be held out of the starting nine for a second consecutive matchup Monday. Ehire Adrianza is starting at third base and batting eighth.