Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave through June 1 due to an investigation into allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. This decision was made as part of an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association. The 23-year-old All-Star was removed from the 40-man roster as the Rays prepared to open the season against the Toronto Blue Jays. Franco had previously been placed on administrative leave in August amid similar allegations when he was 21 years old.
Franco was arrested in his native Dominican Republic earlier this year and later released under the condition that he meet with local authorities once a month. Originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation, as well as money laundering, Franco now stands accused of sexual and psychological abuse. However, he has not been formally charged with these crimes yet. The agreement reached on Thursday with MLB allows for a potential change in Franco’s status with the league based on any further developments in the case.
Despite not playing since August 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension in November of that year. He is set to earn $2 million this season and remains under contract through 2032. Being placed on administrative leave will enable him to still receive his 2024 salary without reporting to spring training. MLB is likely to wait to make any decisions regarding potential disciplinary action until the criminal investigation in the Dominican Republic is concluded, with prosecutors having a six-month period to present their case.
The ongoing investigation into Wander Franco’s alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor has led to his placement on administrative leave by Major League Baseball. This move comes after the shortstop was removed from the 40-man roster by the Tampa Bay Rays, with news of his leave being first reported by The Tampa Bay Times. Franco was previously placed on administrative leave in August and was arrested in the Dominican Republic earlier this year in connection with the allegations.
Franco’s case involves allegations of sexual and psychological abuse, as opposed to the original charges of commercial exploitation, sexual exploitation, and money laundering he faced. Despite signing a lucrative 11-year contract extension in 2021, Franco has not played since August 2021. The agreement reached with MLB on Thursday allows for potential changes in his league status based on the progress of the investigation. MLB is expected to wait for the conclusion of the criminal investigation in the Dominican Republic before making any decisions on disciplinary action.
