Wander Franco no longer has to do monthly check-ins
Wander Franco will no longer have to physically check in with Dominican Republic authorities each month, a Dominican appeals court ruled, according to multiple media reports Saturday.
The Rays’ All-Star shortstop, who has been accused of sexually exploiting a minor, is still under investigation in his native country. The court also retained the $33,000 in bond that Franco posted to be released from jail back in January. He was arrested and detained a week after failing to respond to a summons to speak with prosecutors.
Franco, on administrative leave with the Rays, is expected to be formally charged by Dominican prosecutors next month. Prosecutors allege that he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl that started in December 2022, while he was 21, and that he paid the teen’s mother for her consent to their relationship.
He signed an 11-year, $182 million deal with the Rays in 2021. While on administrative leave, Franco, 23, continues to be paid his $2 million salary for this season. He has not played in the majors since August 2023.
Franco is a .282 career hitter with 30 career homers with 130 RBIs.
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