Wander Franco ‘faces allegations of inappropriate relationships with TWO teenage girls after a 17-year-old filed a complaint against the Rays star in July,’ Dominican media say as part of an investigation into new allegations
- MLB has begun its investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Wander Franco
- Franco agreed with the club to be placed on the shortlist on Monday
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Authorities in the Dominican Republic received a complaint in July from a 17-year-old girl who allegedly dated Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Wander Franco, a source with the attorney general’s office said.
The source told the Dominican newspaper free diary Monday that the miner filed the report on July 17.
The report also added that this is not the same underage girl whose alleged relationship with Franco, 22, went viral on social media on Sunday.
The investigation is led by magistrate Olga Diná, head of the National Directorate of Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family, and takes place in Franco’s hometown of Baní.
The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18.
Sources said El Nuevo Diario newspaper that MLB investigators and officials from the attorney general’s office traveled to Franco’s hometown of Baní to investigate the allegations.
Major League Baseball investigators are already in the Dominican Republic investigating viral allegations of the relationship between Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Wander Franco and an underage girl
Major League Baseball investigators are already in the Dominican Republic looking into the inappropriate relationship allegations.
Franco agreed to be placed on baseball’s shortlist on Monday, a day after social media rumors linked him to an underage in his native country.
“We can confirm that we have opened an investigation,” an MLB official told DailyMail.com on Tuesday. “Beyond that and what the Rays said yesterday regarding their agreement with Franco regarding his placement on the shortlist, we have no further comment at this time.”
The shortstop did not accompany the Rays on their six-game road trip to San Francisco and Anaheim. Tampa Bay routed the Giants 10-2 in Game 1 of a three-game set.
Franco’s placement on the shortlist is limited to the road trip, and while the club is not obligated to cover his salary, a source told ESPN that Tampa Bay will honor his $2 million salary.
Rumors about the alleged relationship swirled before the start of Sunday afternoon’s home game against the Cleveland Guardians. Franco was left out of training due to rest, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash. He was in the dugout for the first five innings and then left.
Franco held an Instagram Live session from the clubhouse and denied the reports.
“They say I’m with a young girl, running with a minor there. Is it crazy, man? People don’t know what to do with their time. Go see, he said in Spanish.
“These people need to move. One is here focused, doing my thing, you see, thank God. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anyone because people are so talkative.
