Dominican prosecutors on Wednesday delivered evidence to a judge about allegations against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who is accused of having a relationship with a minor.
Franco has a hearing set with the judge on Friday at 8 am local time, according to Spanish media.
The judge will review the evidence prosecutors have gathered for a month about Franco and will issue a ruling on Friday in Puerto Plata, a northern province of the Dominican Republic.
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Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays watches during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on August 12, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Dominican newspapers Diario Libre and Listín Diario report that prosecutors filed documents with the court requesting “coercive measures” against Franco, including a financial guarantee of 5 million pesos, equivalent to about $86,000, not allowing him to leave the country, and payments newspapers. presentation.
The documents also requested that the mother of the minor who made the complaint be placed under house arrest.
Franco remains detained at the National Police headquarters in Puerto Plata since Monday afternoon, according to multiple reports.
It was initially supposed to be delivered last Thursday. However, he never showed up. Franco arrived this Monday at the Puerto Plata prosecutor’s office with his lawyers, where he was supposedly seeking to obtain information about the investigation into his alleged relationship with a minor.
WANDER FRANCO DE LOS RAYOS ARRESTED AMID AN INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MINORS: REPORTS
He was detained after a three-hour interview with prosecutors, an official said on condition of anonymity.
On December 26, police visited two Franco properties located in Baní, his hometown, where he was not present. Franco’s wife was told she should contact authorities.
Prosecutors have not provided details about the investigation against Franco, although they said on August 14 that they would be investigating the Rays All-Star because of social media posts that suggested he had a relationship with a minor.
Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays watches during batting practice before the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Franco appeared to deny the allegations via Instagram Live, although he has not spoken publicly about the situation since.
MLB placed Franco on administrative leave shortly afterward under its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the MLBPA. MLB is also conducting its own investigation into the matter and there is no timeline for when it will conclude.
Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract to be a cornerstone of the Rays’ roster after rising through the ranks as one of the MLB’s top prospects.
Franco made the American League All-Star team last July, his first nod in what many believed was many in a budding star career.
June 27, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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Now, the baseball world awaits the judge’s decision and the results of the investigations in Franco’s case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
