Wander Franco 'disappears from Rays commercials' amid investigation into allegations shortstop had 'improper relationship with underage girls'

Wander Franco has reportedly been airbrushed from television adverts as the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop continues to be investigated over alleged relationships with underage girls.

The 22-year-old is facing a probe back home in the Dominican Republic, with claims his career in Major League Baseball could be over. The Attorney General’s office in the country confirmed there have been allegations from at least two minors.

Major League Baseball has launched its own investigation, with Franco - who denies the allegations - reportedly turning to prominent sports attorney Jay Reisinger.

He has not played since accusations surfaced on social media last week. Now, according to the Tampa Bay Times, Franco has disappeared from fans' TV sets, too.  

Clips of the All-Star shortstop have featured prominently in a number of ads this season but not during Friday night's win over the Angels.

Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco has reportedly been airbrushed from television adverts 

It's claimed the Rays Up commercial, which featured a brilliant catch by Franco, was aired as recently as Wednesday's game against the Giants but was not used on Friday.

The centerpiece of the ad is Franco grabbing the ball out of the air with his bare hand against the Astros in April as the voiceover hails 'some Wander magic'.

The same catch appeared to have been edited out of another promo by the time it aired again on Friday night.

David Ortiz said he has tried to reach out to Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco

On Monday, Franco and the Rays agreed that he would go on the restricted list for at least a week. Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz has tried reaching out to the 22-year-old.

'When I heard about this situation, I tried to make myself available to Wander to see how I could help him because I really wanted to know what was happening with that kid,' Ortiz said Thursday on Grandes En Los Deportes.

The Boston Red Sox legend said he previously sat down with the shortstop during the 'Midsummer Classic' festivities in Seattle in July.

'I spent a long time talking to Wander at the All-Star Game, I really liked him because he is a good kid, like all youth,' Ortiz said. 'But the mission of one as a veteran is to guide those kids, not trample on them or mistreat them.'