The Tampa Bay Rays acknowledged in a statement to multiple outlets Sunday night that Major League Baseball is looking into social media posts regarding shortstop Wander Franco, saying that the team is in “close contact” with the league as it conducts its “due diligence.”
The Rays did not specify the nature of the social media content in their statement. However, on Sunday, online posts went viral that alleged Franco, 22, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
“During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco,” the Rays’ statement said. “We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.”
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash addressed Franco not playing in the Rays’ 9-2 loss to the Guardians on Sunday, saying it was “just a day off.”
“I’m aware of the speculation. I’m not going to comment any further on that,” Cash told reporters. “But the day off was because (it’s) a day off.”
Franco, in his third year with Tampa Bay, earned his first All-Star bid this season. He started each of the Rays’ past 20 games prior to Sunday. Tampa Bay next faces the Giants on Monday in San Francisco.
(Photo: Thomas Skrlj / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
