MLB Probing Viral Social Media Claims About Tampa Bay Rays Star Wander Franco

Major League Baseball is looking into social media posts about Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco alleging that he had been in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, the Rays said in a statement Sunday night. The posts about the All-Star athlete, 22, started circulating on Twitter earlier in the day. “During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco,” the Rays’ statement read. “We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence.” Franco did not play during the Rays’ 9-2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians, though Rays manager Kevin Cash said Franco’s absence was “just a day off.” ESPN reported that Franco would not travel with the team to San Francisco for a series against the Giants this week. “I’m aware of the speculation,” Cash said after Sunday’s game. Labelling the rumors false, Franco said in an Instagram live, “People don’t know what they’re talking about.”