MLB looking into social media posts involving Rays shortstop Wander Franco

Tampa Bay said Sunday that Major League Baseball is investigating social media posts involving Rays shortstop Vander Franco.

Franco did not play in Sunday's 9-2 loss to Cleveland.

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Oslovis Basabe started at shortstop on Sunday in the 22-year-old's major league debut. Basabe, who went 1 for 3 with a double, learned during a Saturday night game with Triple-A Durham that he was being bullied.

"During today's game, we became aware of ongoing posts on social media regarding Vander Franco," the Rays said in a statement. "We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts due diligence."

Franco started Sunday's game in the Rays' dugout, then left it in the fifth inning.

Sunday's promotion at Tropicana Field was Vander Franco snapback hats for fans 14 and under.

After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash was asked if there was a problem with Franco not playing in games other than the regular offseason. Cash replied: "No."

Cash said, "I am aware of the speculation and will not comment further." "It was a holiday because (it) was a day off."

Franco was ejected for two games by the Rays in late June for reacting to frustrating situations and not being the best