Wander Franco DENIES ‘working round with a minor’: Viral video surfaces exhibiting Rays star rejecting claims that he is courting a younger woman after Tampa Bay benches 22-year-old shortstop in wake of allegations

Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Shortstop Wander Franco has denied that he was courting an underaged Dominican woman within the wake of viral allegations.

Rumors surfaced on X, the social media platform referred to as Twitter, when the 22-year-old was held out of Sunday’s lineup towards the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Discipline.

Franco held an Instagram livestream by which he refuted the allegations and accused the general public of fabricating tales. It’s unclear when he posted the video on-line. 

The age of consent within the Dominican Republic is eighteen. 

‘They’re saying I bought with a younger woman, that I am working round with a minor on the market. How loopy is that, dude? Individuals do not know what to do with their time. Go see,’ he stated in Spanish.

‘These folks must get transferring. One is right here centered, doing my factor, you see, due to God. That is why I choose to be on my aspect and never become involved with anyone as a result of persons are so gossipy.’

Rays teammate José Siri later walks into the recording and shouts that it is simply ‘folks after cash.’ 

Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Wander Franco held a Instagram livestream session by which he refuted allegations that he had been courting a underaged woman reportedly within the Dominican Republic. Rumors of the alleged relationship surfaced previous to Sunday’s recreation towards the Cleveland Guardians that he was benched for

Wander Franco reportedly didn’t be part of Tampa Bay on the crew flight to San Francisco following Sunday’s recreation, sources instructed ESPN, in keeping with the community’s baseball write Jeff Passan. The Rays launched an announcement Sunday night time confirming that Main League Baseball is investigating social media rumors surrounding the 22-year-old and a minor he reportedly dated

Tampa Bay confirmed Sunday night time the Main League Baseball is wanting into the social media posts. 

DailyMail.com has been unable to substantiate if Franco recorded the video earlier than or after the Rays 9-2 loss to the Guardians on the day the membership featured a Wander Franco Snapback Hat giveaway for followers 14 and beneath who had been in attendance.

Tampa Bay confirmed Sunday night time the Main League Baseball is wanting into the social media posts.

‘Throughout right this moment’s recreation, we had been made conscious of the social media posts which might be circulating relating to Wander Franco,’ the crew stated in an announcement. ‘We take the state of affairs critically and are in shut contact with Main League Baseball because it conducts its due diligence.’

ESPN baseball reporter Jeff Passan reported that sources instructed the community that Franco didn’t journey on the crew flight to San Francisco, the place they begin a three-game collection Monday night time. 

The supply stated that the likelihood exists that Franco may very well be positioned on the restrictive checklist or on administrative depart. 

Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco is drenched by teammates following Friday night time’s walkoff dwelling run towards the Cleveland Guardians. He additionally performed in Saturday’s victory, however was held out of Sunday’s recreation ‘to get him off his ft,’ in keeping with Rays supervisor Kevin Money

Previous to the sport, Tampa Bay supervisor Kevin Money stated that the crew was giving Franco to ‘get him off his ft.’ He hit a ninth inning, walk-off homer to beat Cleveland on Friday night time and was on the sector for Saturday’s win over the Guardians.

He stated that the sport that he was conscious of the rumors surrounding the membership’s star.

‘I’m conscious of this hypothesis,’ Money stated. ‘I am not going to remark any additional on that. However the time off was as a result of (of) the time off.’ 

Franco was chosen to the All-Star Recreation for the primary time this 12 months and entered Sunday hitting .281 with 17 dwelling runs and 58 RBI.

Wander Franco was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a world free agent in July 2017 by Tampa Bay. In November 2021, he signed an $182 million, 11-year contract extension. The Rays maintain a membership possibility for 2033 – the deal may develop to $223

It is not the primary time that Franco’s maturity has been known as into query this season by the Rays, who sit three video games behind the American League-leading Baltimore Orioles. 

Tampa Bay held him out of two consecutive video games in July after questioning his habits round his teammates and the way he managed his frustration. 

He was additionally concerned in a heated dugout argument with fellow All-Star Randy Arozarena in late Might.

Franco was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a world free agent in July 2017 and inked him to a $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021. 

Tampa Bay can train a crew possibility for 2033 which may develop the deal to as much as $223.