Dominican authorities investigate Wander Franco amid MLB probe
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Wander Franco will be away from the Tampa Bay Rays, with no set date for return, amid investigations by MLB and Dominican Republic authorities into social media posts related to the shortstop, officials said.
The media office for the attorney general of the Dominican Republic confirmed an investigation Tuesday to UPI, but did not provide details. The social media posts, which surfaced Sunday, alleged that Franco was in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
Franco, a Bani, D.R., native, denied the allegations in a now-deleted video he posted Sunday to Instagram Live.
"We cannot provide information on the subject at this time; authorities are in the middle of the investigation," the media office for the attorney general of the Dominican Republic said in a statement.
The Rays announced Monday that MLB was investigating the infielder and that Franco would go on the restricted list. They said Franco will take leave for the duration of their current road trip, which started Monday and ends Sunday.
Franco was held out of the Rays' 9-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
"We support any steps taken by the league to better understand the situation," the Rays said in a statement. "Out of respect for all parties involved, we have no further comments at this time."
Players on MLB's restricted list are not eligible to participate in big-league or minor-league games.
The Rays will face the San Francisco Giants at 9:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday in San Francisco.
