ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay All-Star shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the investigation continues into an alleged relationship with a minor.
Administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, and a player continues to be paid. Franco, who has a $2 million salary this year, has remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate and he did not report to spring training.
The Rays opened the season Thursday against Toronto, forcing MLB and the union to make a decision on Franco’s roster status.
“I don’t have any comment. … I’m really focused on the guys that are here,” manager Kevin Cash said before Thursday’s game at Tropicana Field.
Franco has not played since Aug. 12. He was placed on the restricted list for a week on Aug. 14 while MLB launched an investigation following social media posts suggesting Franco was in a relationship with a minor. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the reported posts.
Franco was moved to administrative leave on Aug. 22 and remained there through the end of the season. There is no leave during the offseason.
MLB is likely to wait until the Dominican investigation is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline.
Originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering - charges that carry up to 30 years, 10 years and 20 years of prison, respectively - Franco stands accused instead of sexual and psychological abuse, according to a judge’s resolution that the AP obtained in January.
Franco had not been formally accused, but if found guilty on the new charge, he could face two to five years in prison.
Franco, who turned 23 on March 1, was in the midst of his third major league season when his career was halted and was hitting .281 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 40 attempts over 112 games.
Franco agreed to a $182 million, 11-year contract in November 2021.
He earned $706,761 last year in addition to his salary as part of MLB’s pre-arbitration bonus pool, a fund agreed to by the league and players’ association as part of their 2022 labor contract. The bonus pool was created to reward young players, most who earn at or just above the minimum major league salary based on how long they’ve been in the big leagues.
The Rays obtained infielder Jose Caballero from Seattle in a trade this offseason and are giving him an opportunity to be the regular shortstop . The 27-year-old played 104 games for the Mariners in 2023, hitting .221 with four homers and 26 RBIs. He was in Tampa Bay’s opening day lineup, batting eighth.
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