Dominican player Wander Franco was forced to interrupt his third season in Major League Baseball in August 2023, just a month after participating in his first All-Star Game. In November 2021, Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays signed an 11-year, $182 million contract, with a team option in the 2033 season that could raise the agreement's value to $223 million if certain incentives are met.
Franco was placed on the restricted list by Tampa Bay on July 10, leaving him without pay while on administrative leave. Over 1,037 at-bats, the 23-year-old shortstop has recorded 292 hits, including 30 home runs, 61 doubles, and 14 triples, driving in 130 runs and scoring 164.
On Monday, it was reported that Franco was detained due to a brawl in the parking lot of an apartment building. According to a police spokesperson, the altercation occurred after the player and a woman he was dining with became involved in the incident. All those involved, including the woman, are being held while the Public Ministry evaluates whether to request any coercive measures.
In relation to this event, Wander Franco expressed that "everything is in God's hands" and has refused to make further comments to the press. The National Police confirmed the detention of the Dominican player and detailed that an emergency call was received on Sunday reporting an altercation in a residential area in San Juan de la Maguana, 187 kilometers west of Santo Domingo, where several people were involved, some of whom were armed.
Franco, who debuted in Major League Baseball in 2021, will face trial starting December 12 for allegations of sexual abuse of a teenager, while the victim's mother will be tried for child exploitation and money laundering. The proceedings will take place in Puerto Plata, the residence of the minor affected by these events.
The Tampa Bay Rays player, who has been released on bail, is accused of sexual assault of a minor and human trafficking, with penalties that could reach 15 to 20 years in prison respectively. Although two firearms were seized in connection with the incident, it has not been confirmed whether anyone was injured in the brawl.