Wander Franco faces additional charge in Dominican Republic

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing a gun charge in his native Dominican Republic.

The illegal possession of a firearm charge stems from a November incident in which police responded to the site of an altercation involving Franco and found a gun in the car he was driving.

According to a USA Today report, the charge was filed Sunday, but an attorney representing Franco has said no crime was committed because the weapon was properly registered to the player's uncle.

On Monday, the 24-year-old Franco is expected back in court in Santo Domingo, where he is standing trial on sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Franco was a rising MLB star in August 2023 when he was placed on administrative leave amid allegations he had engaged in a relationship with a then-14-year-old girl -- the month following his first All-Star selection. He was moved to the MLB's restricted list last July and remains the subject of an MLB investigation.

Franco remains under contract to the Rays, who signed him to an 11-year, $182 million contract extension in 2021. He is not paid while on the MLB restricted list.

--Field Level Media