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Former Major League Baseball All-Star Wander Franco will avoid prison despite being found guilty for the second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. A judge in the Dominican Republic granted a judicial pardon to the 25-year-old shortstop.
The decision overturned Franco's original conviction from June 2025, in which he received a two-year suspended sentence.
The charges against Franco arose from a months-long relationship the former MLB player had with a 14-year-old girl beginning in December 2022, when the former top baseball prospect was 21 years old. The court ruled that while Franco was criminally responsible for his actions, he was also the victim of an extortion and blackmail scheme allegedly orchestrated by the minor's mother.
Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays watches the game during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 12, 2023. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco sits in court during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 2, 2025. (Ricardo Hernández/AP)
Prosecutors aggressively pushed for a five-year prison sentence for the Tampa Bay Rays star, but the court ultimately imposed the harshest punishment on the boy's mother. Investigators previously discovered more than $100,000 in cash during raids at his home linked to Franco.
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The mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation.
During the trial, prosecutors detailed how she allegedly used her daughter as a financial asset, extracting thousands of dollars from the wealthy MLB player in exchange for consenting to the relationship.
While Franco avoided jail time, his professional baseball career in the Major Leagues has long since ended. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021.
Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays watches before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida, on June 8, 2023. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Franco has not appeared in an MLB game since August 2023, when allegations involving the minor first exploded on social media.
He was later placed on administrative leave before MLB moved him to its restricted list, freezing both his salary and service time.
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Under US immigration law, the case likely qualifies as a “crime involving moral turpitude.”
Because Franco was not completely exonerated, immigration experts believe it will be nearly impossible for him to obtain the work visa necessary to resume his Major League career.
Dominican baseball star Wander Franco gestures during his trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, June 26, 2025. Franco received a two-year suspended sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl. (Luis Tavárez/AFP)
The ruling also gives the Rays significant financial leverage.
With approximately $160 million remaining on Franco's contract, the organization has no obligation to pay him if he is unable to obtain a visa or report to the team.
The Rays could also try to void the remainder of the deal under morality clauses commonly included in professional sports contracts.
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Major League Baseball's independent investigation under its Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse remains ongoing.
MLB previously said it was waiting for the Dominican Republic's legal process to conclude before issuing formal disciplinary action.
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