Report: Rays' Wander Franco 'Very Unlikely' to Play in MLB Again amid Investigation

While MLB's investigation into Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's alleged relationship with a minor remains ongoing, there are already indications that his playing career is in jeopardy.

A source familiar with the situation told MLB insider Héctor Gómez, "It will be very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against him."

TMZ reported that "social media posts emerged over the weekend that allegedly showed [Franco] in an inappropriate relationship with a minor." The Rays placed him on the restricted list Monday, and he hasn't appeared in a game since Saturday.

In addition to the MLB investigation, ESPN reported Wednesday that a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic said Franco is the subject of an investigation conducted by the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit, which is a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.

"This is a very delicate topic because there is a minor involved. We are working together [with Judge Olga Diná Llaverías]," prosecutor Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal told the Associated Press.

Llaverías is a specialist in child abuse cases. Fabal added that the investigation is in the early stages and they are still in the process of gathering evidence.

"Next week, we might be able to give some of the necessary information without hurting the investigation," he said.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021. The 22-year-old is hitting .281/.344/.457 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI this season.