Rays sensation Wander Franco was notably absent from the team’s travel group as MLB investigates social media posts surrounding the rising star. The 22-year-old player did not join his teammates on the team plane as they embarked on their series against the Giants in San Francisco, set to begin on Monday evening, as per ESPN reports. The now-deleted posts, which reportedly appeared on a platform formerly known as Twitter, claimed that Franco engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The Tampa Bay Rays have assured that MLB is currently examining these posts and allegations closely. In a statement, the Rays expressed their seriousness in addressing the situation and their ongoing communication with Major League Baseball during its investigative process. The specific content of the posts has not been disclosed by Tampa Bay. Franco, a key figure in the team, did not participate in the Rays’ 9-2 defeat against the Guardians on Sunday. Manager Kevin Cash asserted that the absence was a scheduled rest day but refrained from further commenting on the speculation surrounding Franco. The star player began Sunday’s game on the bench and left during the fifth inning. Tropicana Field’s promotion for the day was the Wander Franco Snapback Hat, exclusively for fans aged 14 and under. A standout in his third MLB season, Franco was selected for the American League All-Star team this year. He currently boasts a .281 batting average, .344 on-base percentage, .475 slugging percentage, and .819 OPS, along with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. In November 2021, Franco signed an impressive 11-year contract worth $182 million, including a team option for 2033 that has the potential to value the deal at $223 million. Before being called up to play for the Rays in 2021, Franco was recognized as the top overall prospect in baseball by MLB pipeline. (Source: Associated Press)
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