Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is currently being investigated by the MLB after social media posts revealed that Franco was allegedly in an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Now, his career is in jeopardy as the MLB continues its investigation.
Franco was originally accused of having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Since then, a second complaint has been filed against Franco by a 17-year-old girl.
While the MLB continues its investigation, the Rays placed Franco on the restricted list before their ongoing road trip. Franco is currently away from the team, and sources close to the situation are wondering if he’ll ever play in the MLB again once the investigation concludes.
MLB Insider Hector Gomez stated that “it will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in the MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out…”
A person very close to the investigations into the case of Wander Franco: "It will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against… https://t.co/Yn5CGckJgE
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) August 17, 2023
Trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just two games in the race for the American League East divisional crown, the Rays seemingly will have to move forward without their All-Star shortstop. Through 112 games, Franco has a .281 batting average, 17 home runs, 58 runs batted in, and 30 stolen bases.
The Rays are 73-50 and currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League.
In addition to the investigation launched by the MLB, Franco is also being examined by the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit, a division that focuses on minors and gender violence in Peravia.
