Wander Franco Under Investigation By MLB; Out Indefinitely

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco could be in a heap of trouble, as MLB investigates a situation that allegedly involves a relationship he's having with a minor.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed shortstop Wander Franco on the restricted list, which takes him off the roster and is, in most cases, unpaid, an MLB official tells ESPN. The league has launched an investigation into social media posts about Franco from Sunday.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 14, 2023

As noted by MLB Insider Jeff Passan, Franco has been placed on the restricted list by the Rays, which is unpaid.

According to The Athletic, "on Sunday, online posts went viral that alleged Franco, 22, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor."

The allegations on social media indicate that an alleged 14-year-old girlfriend of Franco was about to expose him because he didn't pay her $200K in 'hush money.'

More details from the alleged Wander Franco story translated to English:

Now it is made public because he did not want to give her the 200 thousand dollars and the Mercedes that she wanted because she does not upload the messages that she herself tells him that she is going to… pic.twitter.com/jDxIbfYGSS

— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) August 13, 2023

The MLB investigation is ongoing, and authorities in the Dominican Republic are also looking into the matter. 

The superstar shortstop is in his 3rd year with Tampa, and made his first All-Star game this year. He's hitting .281 with an .819 OPS along with 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases. 

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports