Wander Franco facing Dominican Republic investigation over alleged relationship with minor

Authorities in the Dominican Republic are looking into Tampa Rays star shortstop Wander Franco over allegations he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

The media office of the attorney general in the Dominican Republic told the Associated Press in a statement that “there are investigations regarding that matter.”

This comes after Franco agreed to go on the restricted list as Major League Baseball launched an investigation into the allegations, which were circulated on social media. 

Franco did not travel with the team to San Francisco after Sunday’s game, according to ESPN. 

The social media posts in question, which appear to have been deleted, reportedly emerged on Sunday and alleged that Franco was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Franco did not play in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, but he had been in the dugout until the fifth inning.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters Sunday night that Franco did not play due to a scheduled day off.

Though, Cash did acknowledge that he was aware of the social media posts involving the shortstop. 

The All-Star shortstop did appear to address the accusations in a pregame Instagram Live on Sunday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor,” Franco said in the social media video in Spanish. “People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about.

“That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody … because people gossip and talk smack.”

The Rays said on Monday in a statement that they “support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation.” 

MLB launched an official investigation on Monday, according to both the Tampa Bay Times and Associated Press. 

Franco had been hitting .281 while recording 17 home runs and 58 RBIs.