Rays SS Wander Franco Will Be Tried For Sexual Abuse of Minor in Dominican Republic

The former All-Star has not played since 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco celebrates after hitting a two run single in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field. / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Two months after being charged with sexual abuse in the Dominican Republic, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been ordered to stand trial.

According to a Thursday ruling in the city of Puerto Plata by Judge Pascual Valenzuela—reported on by Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN—the evidence against Franco was deemed sufficient to warrant criminal proceedings at a date to be determined.

On July 9, Franco was arrested on charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor. The arrest stemmed from allegations that Franco had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl; the girl's mother was also brought up on charges of human trafficking, money laundering and sexual exploitation.

Franco has not played since Aug. 12, 2023—one day before the 23-year-old was placed on the restricted list as the allegations toward him became public.

Once one of baseball's top prospects, Franco—who signed an 11-year, $182 million extension in Nov. 2021—made his first All-Star team in '23.

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