Wander Franco is ‘very unlikely’ to play in MLB again amid probe into allegations Rays’ All-Star shortstop had an ‘improper relationship with a minor’

Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco is unlikely to play in Major League Baseball again “judging by the results of investigations” into his alleged relationship with a minor, according to new reports.

The allegations first surfaced on Sunday when Franco was dropped from the Rays roster before a game against the Cleveland Guardians.

MLB has launched an investigation and an investigation in Franco’s native Dominican Republic is being conducted by a division specializing in minors and gender-based violence in the province of Peravia.

Franco has denied the allegations, but according to reports in the All-Star shortstop’s native country, the 22-year-old’s career in baseball’s biggest league may be over.

Dominican journalist Hector Gomez posted on social media a quote from “a person very close to the investigations into the Wander Franco affair”.

“Wander Franco will be highly unlikely to play in MLB again, judging by the results of ongoing investigations, which directly implicate him in the charges against him,” it read.

According to reports in the All-Star shortstop’s homeland, Franco’s MLB career may be over

Franco joined the Tampa Bay Rays at age 16 for $3.825 million. Then, in 2021, the 22-year-old signed an 11-year, $182 million contract – a record deal for a player with less than a year of major league service.

Earlier this week, however, a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic said his investigation into Franco’s alleged relationship with a minor was being handled by a division specializing in minors and gender-based violence in the province of Peravia.

Angel Darío Tejeda Fabal, prosecutor in Peravia, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the investigation into Franco was being opened under the aegis of the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Violence Unit. family and sexist.

He said the investigation was in its early stages and would be chaired by Judge Olga Dina Llaverias, a specialist in child abuse cases.

Fabal said prosecutors were gathering evidence and testimony, but did not provide details.

In 2021, the 22-year-old signed an 11-year, $182 million deal – a record deal for the Rays

Franco was placed on the shortlist by the Rays on Monday, sidelining him for six games amid a playoff run.

The Dominican native will be paid, but the team is allowed to replace him on the roster while MLB investigates social media posts alleging an inappropriate sexual relationship between Franco and a young girl.

DailyMail.com has not been able to independently verify the social media posts. The allegations first surfaced when Franco was dropped from the Rays’ roster before a game against the Guardians at Tropicana Field.

The same day, Franco denied the allegations during an Instagram Live post.