Major League Baseball is looking into social media posts about Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco alleging that he had been in an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
The posts about the All-Star athlete started circulating on Sunday, which came at the worst time possible.
Franco did not play during the Rays’ 9-2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians, even though the game had a promotion just for him.
Sunday’s game was a giveaway for fans to receive a hat for kids 14 years old or under.
A user tweeted: “I just want to make sure I understand this. Wander Franco was pulled from the Rays lineup today because there’s claims online that he was dating a 14 yo (8th grade). Rays claim it was a coincidence that he had the day off. Today’s giveaway: a Franco Rays hat for fans 14 or under.”
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The Tampa Bay Rays released a statement regarding shortstop Wander Franco and allegations made against him on social media on Sunday. The Rays said they were “made aware” of social media posts about Franco on Sunday and Major League Baseball is conducting “due diligence” about the matter.
“During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco,” the Rays said in their statement. “We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.”
Franco did not travel on the team plane as the Rays headed to San Francisco ahead of a series against the Giants on Sunday. Until these allegations are dealt with, he is likely to be out for quite some time if not the rest of the year.
The 22-year-old signed an 11-year extension with the Rays in November 2021. He was selected to his first All-Star Game this season and is hitting .281/.344/.475 in 112 games.
Tampa Bay’s three-game series at Oracle Park starts Monday night.
