Report: Maikel Franco Files Grievance With Phillies Over Service Time

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- According to a report from Yahoo sports, Maikel Franco has filed a grievance against the Phillies for the manipulation of his service time. The grievance deals with the team keeping Franco in the minor leagues longer than needed in an effort to delay the beginning of his service time, delaying free agency.

Franco, 23, became one of the bright young players on the Phillies roster last season once he was called up and figures to be a part of the team's long-term plans.

According to the report, Franco's case against the Phillies has not yet reached arbitration.

The report points out that a full year of service for an MLB player is 172 days. Franco was called up on May 15 and only accumulated 170 days of service. Cody Asche, the starting third-baseman at the time, was sent down to the minors to learn to play left field on May 12, three days before Franco was called up.

Franco's case is not guaranteed to reach arbitration, but service time disputes has been a significant issue between teams and the Players Association.

The report also stated the Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant also filed a grievance for the same issue.