Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave until further notice by Major League Baseball. Here’s what we know.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball (MLB) amid multiple investigations into his alleged relationships with one or more minors.
Franco and the Rays agreed that he be placed on the restricted list on August 14 after viral social media posts claimed that the 22-year-old had been in an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. MLB’s department of investigations and authorities in Franco’s native Dominican Republic are investigating allegations against Franco, who will be on administrative leave until further notice, according to MLB.
„The administrative leave, effective immediately, is not disciplinary under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,“ MLB said in a statement. „We will comment further at the appropriate time.“
Being placed on administrative leave removes a player from a team’s roster during an ongoing investigation under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Franco will still be paid and accrue major-league service time during his time on leave.
Franco has not played since August 12.
