Wander Franco arrested in Dominican Republic

Field Level Media|published: Mon 11th November, 11:37 2024

Aug 6, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Police in the Dominican Republic have arrested Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco following an altercation.

ESPN reported that authorities held Franco and an unnamed woman for questioning on Monday after an incident in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Sunday "in which guns were drawn."

Franco, 23, is already on indefinite administrative leave from Major League Baseball as he awaits trial on charges involving the sexual abuse of a minor.

Under his bail agreement, Franco is not allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but is free to travel within the country as he awaits a Dec. 12 trial.

Franco was in the midst of an All-Star season when he was placed on administrative leave in August 2023. He has not played since.

According to reports, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison for charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in November 2021, just 70 games into his major league career. He batted .282 with 30 homers, 130 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 265 games from 2021-23.

--Field Level Media