It is deemed “very unlikely,” that Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco, who is currently being investigated in the Dominican Republic and by Major League Baseball after allegations arose of him having an inappropriate relationship with a minor, according to MLB insider Hector Gomez on Thursday.
The 22-year-old denied allegations first posted on social media on Sunday that he was in a relationship with a 14-year-old. However, the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic revealed that there is another young woman who has levied a complaint against Franco.
The Rays initially sat him for Sunday’s game before putting him on their restricted list and opting to keep him home during their west-coast road trip, which runs through Aug. 20.
Franco signed an 11-year contract worth $182 million in November 2021 with the Rays, which includes a team option for 2033 that could be worth $223 million. In 112 games this season, he batted .281 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 30 stolen bases while garnering his first-ever All-Star Game selection.
