Wander Franco might not play another game in 2023 after disturbing allegations surfaced about him over the weekend.
Wander Franco was not with his teammates on the Rays’ team plane as they headed to San Francisco for their upcoming series against the Giants, which starts Monday, according to ESPN.
According to ESPN, the Rays have decided to keep Franco at home as the franchise as well as Major League Baseball looks into the allegations.
“Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco did not travel on the team plane to San Francisco, where the Rays will start a series with the Giants tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Rays earlier said MLB is doing “due diligence” concerning social media posts from earlier today about Franco,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.
“MLB is looking into the social media posts and has yet to verify the information. This early in the process, without confirmed facts, Franco could be placed on the restricted list or administrative leave. The Rays, when asked about Franco not being on the plane, declined comment.”
The posts emerged on Sunday and alleged that Franco was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
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“During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco,” the Rays said in a statement. “We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.”
Franco started Sunday’s game in the Rays’ dugout, then left it in the fifth inning. Sunday’s promotion at Tropicana Field was the Wander Franco Snapback Hat for fans 14 and under.
The American League All-Star in his third MLB season is slashing .281/.344/.475 with a .819 OPS, 17 homers, 58 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases.
Back in Novembr 2021, Franco signed an 11-year contract worth $182 million, a deal with a team option for 2033 that could be worth $223 million. He was the No. 1-overall prospect in baseball, per MLB pipeline, before he was called up by the Rays in 2021.
This could be a huge loss for them if any of these allegations prove to be true.
