Judge Pascual Valenzuela of the Dominican Republic has ruled that the charges against Wander Franco have sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, per Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN. That trial does not yet have a date set. Franco faces a potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
In August of 2023, investigators in the D.R. began looking into accusations that the Rays shortstop had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The age of consent in that country is 18. In July of this year, Franco was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, as well as human trafficking. He will now stand trial in relation to those charges, in light of today’s ruling.
Major League Baseball placed Franco on administrative leave in August last year when the accusations first emerged, standard procedure for players who are being investigated under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He was reinstated for the offseason in a procedural move but placed back on administrative leave when the 2024 campaign began.
Players on administrative leave are still paid, but Franco was transferred to the restricted list in July. Per Recio’s report, his administrative leave agreement between MLB and the Players Association had a provision that his time on administrative leave would end if he were charged. Recio adds that Franco’s bail agreement doesn’t allow him to leave the country, so the Rays were able to move him to the restricted list since he can’t physically report to the club. There has also been reporting of a second formal complaint against Franco, though the status of that case is less clear.
