Rays’ Wander Franco accused of improper relationship with second underage girl
Rays star Wander Franco has been linked to an inappropriate relationship with a second underage girl, in his native Dominican Republic, according to the Dominican newspaper Diario Libre, which cited a source in the Dominican Republic attorney general’s office.
Diario Libre reported the complaint against Franco, 22, was filed in July by a 17-year-old girl.
Franco, an All-Star shortstop this season, has been away from the team since Sunday and on the restricted list as MLB investigates social media posts alleged he was involved in a relationship with a minor.
Diario Libre clarified that the underage girl who filed the complaint in July is not the one reportedly linked to Franco’s social media posts that triggered the MLB investigation.
The Domican Republic attorney general’s office told the AP on Monday that it also was investigating the matter.
On Sunday, Franco appeared to deny the allegations circulating on social media in a video on Instagram Live, 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 Spanish in the social media video. “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.”
The legal age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18 years old.
MLB’s official investigation was launched Monday.
The Rays released a statement saying they “support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation.”
Franco was placed on the restricted list while the investigation takes course and will continue to be paid, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
He did not play Sunday in a home series finale against the Guardians at Tropicana Field and did not accompany the Rays to San Francisco for the start of a six-game road trip, which began Monday night.
The road trip, which includes three games against the Giants and three against the Angels, will end this coming Sunday, and the Rays will return home to face the Rockies on Aug. 22.
“We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation,” the club said later Monday of the MLB investigation. “Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time.”
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander addressed media on a call later, but limited questions to baseball decisions, saying, “Our comments on Wander are going to stand for what we have to say.”
Franco is batting .281 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, a .819 OPS and 30 stolen bases this season.
The Rays are 72-50, three games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East, and currently in position for the American League’s top wild-card seed.
