Wander Franco Eager to Return to Baseball

Wander Franco is looking to get back on the baseball field.

The player, who was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in a second trial earlier this year, is pushing for the chance to represent the Dominican Republic in the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games. These games are set to kick off later this month, as reported by ESPN’s Enrique Rojas.

However, his participation appears doubtful, according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times.

Franco has not played in an MLB game since August 12, 2023. He has also been removed from the Dominican Republic’s lengthy list of candidates, which effectively means he can’t join the team.

The Baseball Federation of Dominican Republic (FEDOM) is currently trying to secure official permission for him to play.

According to a statement to the Tampa Bay Times, FEDOM said, “We have been collaborating with the Dominican Olympic Committee to register Wander through our platform.” They seem optimistic, saying, “We expect and are very confident that we will get a positive response.”

Yet, Garibaldi Bautista, the president of the Dominican Olympic Committee, insists that Franco remains ineligible for the Games.

Bautista stated, “Simply put, he is not on the long list and will not be able to enroll on the Dominican national team for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games,” which again emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding Franco’s situation.

Franco, who is 25, was found guilty of sexual and psychological exploitation of a minor, yet he did not receive a prison sentence. Instead, the victim’s mother was sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly profiting from Franco’s payment for a prior agreement with the boy.

Furthermore, Franco is currently on MLB’s restricted list, which prohibits him from playing in the major leagues or minor leagues post-August 2023, as well as in the Dominican Winter League, which has ties with MLB.

As he left the courtroom in May, Franco addressed his fans, saying, “Please continue to support me. Believe in God, and with faith in God, I will be right back.” He reflected on his journey, mentioning that he has learned to value his family and persisted in training thanks to encouragement from his father.