Rice says MLB is looking into social media posts involving Wonder Franco

The Tampa Bay Rays said Major League Baseball is looking into social media posts involving star shortstop Wander Franco.

“During today’s game we were made aware of the social media posts being circulated regarding Wander Franco,” Rice said in a statement Sunday. “We take the situation very seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts due diligence.”

The Rays did not elaborate on the social media posts. Rays manager Kevin Cash declined to comment further after Tampa lost 9-2 to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, other than to say he was “aware” of the flyers. Franco, 22, was not in the Rays lineup on Sunday.

Franco did not travel with the Rays to San Francisco before their series with the Giants, which begins Monday, According to ESPN’s Jeff Bassan.

Franco is in his third season with the Rays. Earning his first All-Star nod of the season, he averaged . 281 at the plate with 17 home runs and 58 RBI. He made his first career start to lift the Rays past the Guardians on Friday night. Sunday’s loss to Cleveland concluded the three-game series in St. Petersburg.

The Rays sign Franco to an 11-year, $182 million deal in 2021.