Tampa Bay Rays infielder Wander Franco, 22, has been suspended from Major League Baseball (MLB) amid allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.바카라사이트

Wander Franco looks on with a heavy face in the dugout after missing a game against Cleveland on Thursday. AP

“The attorney general’s office in Franco’s home country, the Dominican Republic, has opened an investigation into the allegations,” the Associated Press reported on Friday, adding that “MLB’s governing body is reviewing the facts and his team, Tampa Bay, has placed him on the restricted list. Franco is not eligible to play until the investigation is complete.”

Franco was recently embroiled in controversy after photos surfaced on social media of him with a woman who appeared to be underage. The photos were accompanied by an allegation that Franco had an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl. As the controversy grew, the Dominican Republic launched an official investigation, and MLB followed suit.

Franco is a talented shortstop who made his big league debut in 2021 at the age of 20. In November of that year, he shocked the baseball world by signing a massive long-term contract with Tampa Bay worth up to $223 million over 12 years. It was symbolic for the Rays, who are known for being a “dirt cheap” team, to spend that much money on a single player.

The Rays are 72-49 (.595 winning percentage), in second place in the American League East and the first wild card spot. The loss of Franco, a key powerhouse in the infield, could be devastating for the rest of the season. Franco is scheduled to start this