Wander Franco ‘very unlikely’ to play in MLB again: report

Wander Franco’s profession reportedly could also be over.

A supply near the investigation of Franco’s alleged inappropriate relationships with underage women instructed Z101 Digital reporter Héctor Gómez that the Rays shortstop is “most unlikely” to play in Main League Baseball once more.

“An individual very near the investigations into the case of Wander Franco: ‘It is going to be most unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB once more, judging by the outcomes of the investigations which might be at the moment being carried out, which instantly commit him to the accusations towards him,’” Gómez wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter.

Gómez, a Dominican reporter, broke the news of Franco’s 12-year, $223 million extension with the Rays in 2021.

Franco, a 22-year-old All-Star shortstop this season, has been away from the Rays since Sunday as MLB and officers within the Dominican Republic examine claims made in since-deleted social media posts alleging he was concerned in a relationship with a minor within the Dominican.

On Tuesday, Franco was linked to a second relationship with an underage girl, per the Dominican newspaper Diario Libre, which cited a supply within the nation’s legal professional normal workplace claiming a 17-year-old lady filed a criticism towards Franco in July.

Franco appeared to disclaim the allegations Sunday when he posted a video on Instagram Stay.

“They are saying that I’m in public with a bit of lady, that I’m operating round with a minor,” Franco mentioned in Spanish within the social media video on Instagram Live, according to the Tampa Bay Times.  “Individuals don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re speaking about.

“That’s why I desire to be on my aspect and never get entangled with anyone.”

Franco, a former No. 1 total prospect, has been the most effective gamers in MLB this season, posting an .819 OPS with 17 homers and 30 stolen bases, tying him for the eighth-best Wins Above Alternative, per FanGraphs.

The Rays (73-50), trailing the Orioles by two video games within the AL East and owns the AL’s first wild card spot.