Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was positioned on the restricted listing and can take a depart from the membership throughout their present street journey, the crew introduced on Monday.
The 22-year-old is being investigated by each Main League Baseball and authorities within the Dominican Republic over current social media posts.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Wander Franco have mutually agreed that he’ll go on the Restricted Checklist and take depart from the Membership during the present street journey.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 14, 2023
Assertion from the Tampa Bay Rays relating to MLB’s investigation:
We help any steps taken by the league to higher perceive the state of affairs. Out of respect for all events concerned, we’ve got no additional feedback right now.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 14, 2023
An MLB official instructed Yahoo Sports activities that MLB is investigating the matter. Dominican Republic authorities, according to The Associated Press, launched an investigation into Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor. Specifics about that investigation or the allegations aren’t but recognized.
The social media posts in query surfaced Sunday, and the Rays launched a press release after their recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians.
“Throughout as we speak’s recreation, we have been made conscious of the social media posts which might be circulating relating to Wander Franco,” the Rays said. “We take the state of affairs severely and are in shut contact with Main League Baseball because it conducts its due diligence.”
The Rays did not go into specifics concerning the social media posts. Rays supervisor Kevin Money declined to remark after Tampa’s 9-2 loss to the Guardians on Sunday, aside from saying he was “conscious” of the posts. Franco was not within the Rays’ lineup Sunday.
“I am conscious of the hypothesis,” Money mentioned, via ABC’s Kyle Burger. “I am not going to remark any additional on that. The time off was due to a [scheduled] time off.”
Franco is in his third season with the Rays. He earned his first All-Star nod this season and is averaging .281 on the plate with 17 dwelling runs and 58 RBI. He hit his first profession walk-off to carry the Rays previous the Guardians on Friday. Sunday’s loss to Cleveland wrapped the three-game collection in St. Petersburg.
The Rays signed Franco to an 11-year, $182 million deal in 2021.
