Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been summoned for questioning in the Dominican Republic following allegations that he had inappropriate relations with minor girls.
The country’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents gave the summons to Franco’s lawyers for him to appear for questioning in the probe on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Santo Domingo, ESPN Deportes reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Dominican outlet Listin Diario reported that authorities searched two homes for Franco — his own and his mother’s — and neighbors indicated that they left messages with Franco’s wife.
Claims that Franco, 22, had inappropriate relations with multiple minor girls first spread on social media in August.
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Major League Baseball placed him on administrative leave “until further notice” on Aug. 22.
“The administrative leave, effective immediately, is not disciplinary under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” the league said in the statement at the time of the decision to place him on administrative leave.
Franco had been out of the Rays’ lineup since Aug. 12.
“We support Major League Baseball’s decision to place Wander Franco on Administration Leave,” the Rays said in a statement after MLB’s announcement.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and supporters as this process unfolds.”
In August, Franco appeared on Instagram Live and seemingly denied the allegations.
“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor,” Franco said in the video in Spanish, as translated by the Tampa Bay Times.
“People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody … because people gossip and talk smack.”
In late August, Dominican authorities announced that Franco was under investigation in his native country.
Franco, who was an All-Star this year, signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in 2021.