Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave until June 1st pending an investigation into his alleged relationship with an underage girl, sources confirmed to the Post.
The Rays open the season at home Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reportedly agreed to an administrative maneuver to remove Franco from the 40-man roster. tampa bay times.
Franco has not been with the team since August, after allegations of a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl first came to light, and he has not been charged with a crime.
He finished the 2023 season on administrative leave after being placed on the list on Aug. 22 and did not appear in spring training.
Franco is currently living in his native Dominican Republic. According to the Associated Presswhere he is under investigation for sexual and psychological abuse charges.
He will be required to appear in court monthly as the investigation continues.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the administrative leave could be extended if there is no update on the investigation by the deadline.
MLB is “likely to wait” to take any disciplinary action until the investigation is complete, the Associated Press reported.
The operation took place just hours before Opening Day, as the Rays needed to prepare their roster for the season opener.
There were questions about whether Franco would remain on administrative leave or be placed on the restricted list, which would affect his salary.
Franco is on the list of administrators and will continue to be paid.
Franco is scheduled to make $2 million this year, but 2021 is the last year of his 11-year, $182 million contract with the team on a relatively low base.
He still owes about $175 million.
Franco, 23, emerged as arguably the Rays’ best player last season with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and an .819 OPS.
