Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated their shortstop, Wander Franco, to the team’s 40-man roster.
However, this move comes amidst continued uncertainty surrounding Franco’s return to playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) as he remains under investigation.
Franco’s investigation is centered on allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors.
Rays’ Wander Franco facing D.R. investigation over another alleged relationship with minor https://t.co/RJ8eG7U8Cb pic.twitter.com/ehITEFzxVS
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 30, 2023
The investigation is currently open under The National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents, and Family, as well as the Gender Violence Unit.
These allegations have raised concerns that the case may potentially fall under the “sexual assault” category due to age-of-consent considerations.
It is important to note that anyone over the age of 18 engaging in a sexual relationship with someone younger than 18 can be subject to criminal charges.
Moreover, authorities in Franco’s native Dominican Republic have initiated their own investigations into the matter.
Franco’s status was placed on administrative leave on August 22, a move made soon after the initial allegations surfaced on social media.
It’s essential to understand that administrative leave is a status applicable only during the regular baseball season.
Consequently, with the conclusion of the World Series on Wednesday, Franco was required to be placed back on the Tampa Bay Rays’ 40-man roster.
The last time Franco made an appearance for the Tampa Bay Rays was on August 12, just before social media posts containing the allegations emerged.
On August 14, a mutual agreement was reached between Franco and the team to place him on the restricted list, which was subsequently shifted to administrative leave, a status under the control of MLB.
MLB has placed Wander Franco on administrative leave as the league and authorities in the Dominican Republic continue their investigation, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/B9VAfKoYPQ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 22, 2023
Throughout this entire period, in accordance with league and union rules, Franco continued to receive his $2 million salary and service time.
The key question that lingers is whether Franco’s status will remain unresolved by the start of spring training in mid-February.
Should the investigation continue without a conclusion, there is a possibility that he may be shifted back to administrative leave, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding his return to the field.
As per Daily Mail, Wander Franco is married to a 21-year-old woman by the name of Rachelly Paulino.
The pair, who have two children in common, allegedly tied the knot following Franco’s 2021 sports season.
