Player News

• Rays' Wander Franco: Found guilty of sexual abuse

  06/26/2025 • By RotoWire

  Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic and received a suspended two-year prison sentence Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Franco will not have to spend any time behind bars as long as he meets the conditions set by the judge, which primarily require him not to approach minors with sexual intentions. Passan notes that because Franco was found guilty, it would be difficult for him to obtain a work visa in the United States and resume his playing career with the Rays or any other team in Major League Baseball. So long as Franco remains on the Rays' restricted list, Tampa Bay won't be required to pay out any salaries from the 11-year, $182 million contract he signed in November 2021. MLB's own investigation into Franco remains active, and he could be subject to further discipline under the league's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Rays' Wander Franco: Verdict coming Thursday

  06/23/2025 • By RotoWire

  A verdict in Franco's trial in the Dominican Republic is expected to be announced Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Franco is facing charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, as well as illegal possession of a gun. He remains on Major League Baseball's restricted list as MLB performs a concurrent investigation of the 24-year-old.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Rays' Wander Franco: Charged with gun possession

  06/09/2025 • By RotoWire

  Franco -- who is currently on trial in the Dominican Republic on charges including sexual abuse of a minor -- was charged Sunday with illegal possession of a gun, The latest charge stems from a Nov. 10 altercation during which police found a gun in Franco's vehicle. A concurrent investigation of Franco is being performed by Major League Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. The 24-year-old signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021 but last played in August 2023 and won't receive a salary or accrue MLB service time while he remains on MLB's restricted list.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Rays' Wander Franco: Trial postponed

  12/12/2024 • By RotoWire

  Franco's (personal) trial has been postponed from Dec. 12 to June 2, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports. A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled that several key witnesses were not located in time to proceed on the originally schedule date. Franco -- who is facing charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking -- is on MLB administrative leave and hasn't seen the field since August of 2023.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Rays' Wander Franco: Facing firearm charge

  11/12/2024 • By RotoWire

  Franco (personal) is facing charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm related to his arrest in an altercation in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports. Franco is expected to be granted provisional release Tuesday, although terms of his bail have not yet been defined. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. A concurrent investigation of Franco is being performed by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE