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Wander Franco placed on Restricted List amid MLB investigation
Jeff Passan joined “SportsCenter” to discuss the next steps in MLB’s investigation into Wander Franco.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says an investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco is being handled by a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.
Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, a prosecutor in Peravia, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the investigation into Franco is open under the National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit. He said the investigation is in its early stages and will be led by Chief Prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías, a specialist in child abuse cases.
“This is a very delicate topic because there is a minor involved,” said Fabal. “We work together [with Llaverías].”
Fabal said that prosecutors are gathering evidence and testimonies but did not give details.
“Next week, we will be able to provide some necessary information without harming the investigation,” he said.
The prosecutor added that he had no contact with Major League Baseball executives or US authorities regarding the case.
Franco was born in Baní, the capital of the province of Peravia.
It is unclear whether Franco has retained an attorney to speak for him.
On Monday, the Rays placed the 22-year-old on the restricted list, a move that will sideline Franco for at least six games. MLB is investigating the player following social media posts questioning the nature of a relationship Franco had with a young woman.
While teams are not required to pay players on the restricted list, the Rays continue to pay Franco’s $2 million salary, sources told ESPN.
Franco missed Sunday’s home series finale against Cleveland at Tropicana Field and did not accompany the Rays to San Francisco for the start of a six-game road trip that began Monday night against the Giants.
In November 2021, the Rays and Franco agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract extension 70 games into his career. Franco has been one of MLB’s most productive players this season, hitting .281/.344/.475 with 17 home runs, 58 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases, and made his first All-Star team.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.