It appears authorities in the Dominican Republic are looking for Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco.
Tuesday, the Dominican daily Listin Diario reported that the Santo Domingo City Department of Child and Adolescent Safety conducted two searches to find the 22-year-old athlete, but was reportedly unsuccessful.
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The police reportedly made a stop at Franco’s mother, as well as at the shortstop’s home. Neighbors reportedly claimed that police officers left telephone numbers with the athlete’s wife so that the latter could contact them.
Franco is reportedly wanted because he had an alleged relationship with an underage young woman. He was also unable to finish the last major baseball season in connection with this affair.
In August, the Rays’ color wearer’s name was placed on the list of ineligible players. In a brief press release obtained by the daily Tampa Bay Timesthe Florida club had mentioned that the Manfred circuit was continuing its investigation.
A few weeks earlier, a 14-year-old girl had declared on social networks that she had had an inappropriate relationship with Franco. A police investigation has been launched in the Dominican Republic. He was later linked to a second such complaint.
This season, Franco has totaled 17 home runs, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. He signed a monster 11-year contract valued at $182 million at the end of November 2021.