Wander Franco is ‘highly unlikely’ to play in MLB again amid an investigation into allegations that Rays’ All-Star shortstop had an ‘improper relationship with a minor’
- Wander Franco is under investigation for an alleged relationship with a minor
- The 22-year-old Tampa Bay Rays shortstop has denied the allegations
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco will likely never play in Major League Baseball again “judging by the results of the investigation” into his alleged relationship with a minor, new reports claim.
Allegations first surfaced on Sunday, when Franco was dropped from the Rays lineup for a game against the Cleveland Guardians.
MLB has launched an investigation and an investigation in Franco’s native Dominican Republic is being conducted by a department specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.
Franco has denied the allegations, but according to reports in the All-Star shortstop’s home country, the 22-year-old’s career in baseball’s biggest league could be over.
Dominican journalist Hector Gomez posted on social media a quote from “a person very close to the investigations into the Wander Franco case.”
“It will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations currently being conducted, which tie him directly to the allegations against him,” it read.
Rays star Wander Franco is said to have had an inappropriate relationship with a minor
According to reports in the All-Star shortstop’s home country, Franco’s MLB career could be over
Franco joined the Tampa Bay Rays at the age of 16 for $3.825 million. Then, in 2021, the 22-year-old signed a $182 million, 11-year contract — a record deal for a player with less than a year of Major League service.
Earlier this week, however, a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic said their investigation into Franco’s alleged relationship with a minor is being handled by a department specializing in minors and gender violence in Peravia province.
Angel Darío Tejeda Fabal, a prosecutor in Peravia, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the investigation into Franco is under the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit.
He said the investigation is in its early stages and will be chaired by Judge Olga Dina Llaverias, a child abuse specialist.
Fabal said prosecutors are collecting evidence and testimony but did not provide details.
In 2021, the 22-year-old signed a $182 million, 11-year contract – a record deal for the Rays
Franco was placed on the restricted list by the Rays on Monday, sidelining him for six games in a playoff race.
The Dominican native will be paid, but the team may replace him on the roster while MLB investigates social media posts alleging an inappropriate sexual relationship between Franco and a young girl.
DailyMail.com has not been able to independently verify the social media posts. Allegations first surfaced when Franco was dropped from the Rays lineup for a game against the Guardians at Tropicana Field.
That same day, Franco denied the allegations during an Instagram Live post.