(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Wander Franco has recently found himself in some hot water.
The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was not in the starting lineup for Sunday’s finale against the Cleveland Guardians after recent social media posts went viral which indicated that Franco had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
The 22-year-old Rays star’s future is now uncertain.
An investigation is currently taking place and Major League Baseball will determine what the proper next steps are.
On Twitter, Jeff Passan of ESPN revealed an important update on the situation, stating that Franco did not travel with the team to San Francisco on Sunday night.
Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco did not travel on the team plane to San Francisco, where the Rays will start a series with the Giants tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Rays earlier said MLB is doing “due diligence” concerning social media posts from earlier today about Franco.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 14, 2023
On Monday, the Rays will open up a three-game series at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants in what should be an exciting matchup between two strong postseason contenders.
However, the Rays will more than likely be playing the entire series without Franco.
Earlier on Sunday, the Rays had revealed that MLB was conducting an investigation into the matter and doing its “due diligence.”
But it’s clear that the Rays are taking the matter very seriously.
It’s unknown at this point what will ultimately happen with Franco.
However, recent events do not bode well for the young shortstop.
It’s always possible that the Rays could put him on paid administrative leave, similarly to how the Los Angeles Dodgers handled the situation with Trevor Bauer and the allegations of sexual assault against him.
For now, it appears that Franco will not be with the team in San Francisco.
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