Tampa Bay Rays’ star shortstop, Wander Franco, has failed to respond to a summons issued in the Dominican Republic regarding allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors, as confirmed by the agency director, Olga Diná Llaverías, on Thursday.
Franco did not appear at the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents in Santo Domingo at the appointed time of 11 a.m., raising concerns about his response to the ongoing investigation.
While Diná Llaverías acknowledged the continuation of the inquiry, she refrained from disclosing further details during a brief news conference.
“Investigative options are available, but it is not the right time to discuss them,” Diná Llaverías stated when asked about the subsequent steps in the case.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press revealed that Franco had severed ties with his legal team.
The allegations against Franco involve at least two individuals, and there are ongoing investigations concerning his alleged involvement with a third minor, as reported by ESPN. However, no formal complaints have been registered with authorities in the case of the third minor.
It’s important to note that no criminal charges have been filed against Franco at this time.
Franco, a native of the Dominican Republic, was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball (MLB) in August, with the league conducting its own investigation into the allegations.
The Tampa Bay Rays supported MLB’s decision and pledged their cooperation with the investigation, emphasizing their commitment to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to maintaining high standards of integrity both on and off the field,” the team stated. “We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and followers as this process unfolds. We will have no further statement on this matter until MLB completes their process.”
Since then, the team has refrained from providing further comments on the situation.
In November 2021, after just 70 games into his MLB career, Franco and the Rays reached an agreement on an impressive 11-year, $182 million contract extension. Prior to his suspension, Franco had established himself as one of the most impactful players in MLB, boasting a batting average of .281/.344/.475 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2023.