Wander Franco ‘told Rays teammates he’s INNOCENT’: All-Star, 22, ‘denied claims of an improper relationship with a minor’ before taking leave amid probes by MLB and Dominican officials
Wander Franco ‘told Rays teammates he is INNOCENT’: All-Star, 22, ‘denied claims of inappropriate relationship with minor’ before parting ways amid investigations by MLB and Dominican officials
- Franco privately told teammates that he was not in an inappropriate relationship
- He has been placed on furlough, which he says is best during the probes
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Wander Franco privately told his Tampa Bay Rays teammates that he was not in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, according to The athletic.
However, he reportedly admitted that he would become a distraction if he stayed with the club during investigations by Major League Baseball and Dominican authorities.
Franco, the 22-year-old All-Star shortstop, 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 on Sunday, when Franco was dropped from the Rays lineup for a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
That same day, Franco denied the allegations during an Instagram Live post.
Franco privately told teammates that he was not in an inappropriate relationship with a minor
“They say I’m hanging out with a young girl, that I’m walking around with a minor,” Franco told his teammates during his live broadcast in Spanish. ‘How crazy is that, dude? People don’t know what to do with their time.’
Under a joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy established by the league and the players’ union, Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office has the authority to give players seven days of administrative leave during an investigation. Extensions are allowed.
“Those people need to move. One is focused here, doing my thing, you see, thanks to God. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and I don’t interfere with anyone because people gossip so much.’
Rays teammate José Siri later walked into the recording exclaiming that it’s just “people are out for money.”
The live stream took place before the start of the game, ESPN Deportes reporter Enrique Rojas said Monday on the radio program Grandes En Los Deportes, which is broadcast in the Dominican Republic.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash told reporters before the game that Franco was out of the lineup because he “wanted to get him off the ground.”
After the loss to the Guardians, Cash acknowledged he was aware of the rumours.
“I am aware of this speculation,” Cash said. ‘I’m not going to comment further on that. But the day off was because of (of) the day off.’
Franco, who was selected for the All-Star Game for the first time this year, entered on Sunday batting .281 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI.