When the Tampa Bay Rays place gamers maintain their first official full-squad exercise on Monday, prized shortstop Wander Franco received’t be there.
The 22-year-old didn’t report for spring coaching on Sunday, which was the crew’s deadline, as he stays in the midst of appreciable turmoil stemming from doable prison fees in his native Dominican Republic following accusations he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old woman.
In line with the Tampa Bay Instances, the crew declined to touch upon Franco’s standing in addition to saying he didn’t report.
Franco stays within the Dominican Republic and might’t enter america because the investigation persists, which can lead MLB to must determine if he must be positioned on administrative depart once more or on the restricted checklist.
Ought to Franco find yourself on the restricted checklist, he would stand to overlook out on the $2 million he’s set to make this 12 months as a part of the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed in 2021.
Tampa Bay supervisor Kevin Money stated the crew was not caught off guard by Franco’s absence.
Franco hasn’t performed since Aug. 12, following the allegations made on social media.
“We’ve been ready for it for fairly a while,” Money stated. “And we’ve received to actually focus our consideration on the fellows which might be right here. We’ve received a very good membership and we’re desperate to see quite a lot of gamers, in order that’s helped.”
Franco’s authorized woes appeared to take one other hit on Saturday when it was reported {that a} member of his authorized crew opted to go away the case.
The transfer left Franco with only one lawyer remaining.
As for the Rays, their backup shortstop, Taylor Partitions, is out, recovering from offseason hip surgical procedure.
They traded for Seattle’s Jose Caballero final month, giving up outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley.
The crew expects Caballero to be the beginning shortstop on Opening Day.
![Wander Franco in court in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 5, 2024.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2023-season-make-statement-entering-74438919.jpg?w=1024)
The sunshine-hitting Caballero presents a large drop-off from Franco, who was having a standout season for the Rays a 12 months in the past.
Tampa Bay may additionally flip to prime prospect Junior Caminero sooner or later.
However the reality stays Franco was anticipated to be the cornerstone of the Rays’ future, particularly after signing the most important contract in franchise historical past.
Now, Franco is probably throwing away his MLB profession, in addition to going through 2-10 years in jail ought to he be discovered responsible of abduction and sexual abuse.
Authorities have till July 5 to cost him.
He was initially positioned on the restricted checklist in August and will nonetheless be topic to MLB suspension, no matter whether or not he’s charged with a criminal offense.
The league usually waits till the tip of a prison investigation earlier than it levies a penalty of that sort.