Wander Franco 'is placed on administrative leave until June 1' as the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop stands accused of having sexual relationship with a girl, 14, and paying off her mother in the Dominican Republic

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has reportedly been placed on administrative leave amid criminal proceedings into his alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor. 

Franco, 23, faces accusations in his native Dominican Republic of sexual and psychological abuse of a 14-year-old girl, allegedly having a relationship with the teenager and paying her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.

Franco who was initially suspended by the Rays has now been placed on administrative leave through June 1 per an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA, according to ESPN. 

His status could reportedly change depending on developments in the case in the Dominican Republic. 

Originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering — charges that carry up to 30 years, 10 years and 20 years of prison respectively — Franco now stands accused instead of sexual and psychological abuse, according to a judge’s resolution that The Associated Press obtained last month. 

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has reportedly been placed on administrative leave

Franco, 23, faces accusations of sexual and psychological abuse of a 14-year-old girl 

He allegedly had  a relationship with the teenager and paying her mother for her consent

Franco has not been formally accused, but if found guilty on the new charge, he could face between two to five years in prison.

Franco failed to report for spring training with the Rays on February 18 - the deadline ahead of the team's first official full-roster workout.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the rest of the Rays' position players reported for training on the 18th ahead of the workout the following day. 

MLB’s 'mandatory report date' was February 24, which also came and went without an official decision being made regarding Franco’s status for the start of the season.

Franco was initially placed on the restricted list on August 14 in the midst of the Rays' playoff push. 

A week later he was placed on administrative leave by MLB as his seven-day stint on the restricted list was about to come to an end. 

He was reinstated to the 40-man roster on Nov. 2 in a procedural move, as MLB said administrative leave is not in effect during the offseason, which technically started after the conclusion of the World Series. 

Now, on opening day of the 2024 season, which sees the Rays kickstart their campaign against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, Franco's administrative leave has been extended through June 1. 

Franco failed to report for spring training with the Rays on February 18 - the deadline ahead of the team's first official full-roster workout 

Franco has been away from the team since mid-August when the allegations first emerged. 

According to prosecutors, and testimonies from the girl and other members of her family, Franco paid the girl's mother thousands of dollars in cash and other gifts, in exchange for the mother's consent to engage in a sexual relationship with her daughter. 

The Code for the Protection of the Right of Children and Adolescents, Law 136-03 in the Dominican Republic, considers sexual abuse as any relationship between a minor and a person five years older. Franco started engaging in a relationship with the girl when she was 14 and he was 21. 

Although he has not been formally charged, he is required to report to the court in the Dominican Republic once a month as part of the conditions of his bond. 

With charges pending, it has been unclear in Franco would be allowed to enter the United States if he tried to enter the country on his work visa. 

By setting a June 1 deadline, the MLB and MLBPA have allowed a two-month window for any developments to occur within the investigation in the Dominican Republic. 

If no changes to his status occur before that date, the two parties are likely to reconvene to decide whether to extends his stay on administrative leave, move him to the restricted list or consider other options. 

A player continues to receive pay and accrue major league service while on administrative leave.

Franco has been away from the team since mid-August when the allegations first emerged 

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was on administrative leave from July 2, 2021, until the following April 29, when he was suspended for 324 games. 

The penalty was reduced by an arbitrator to 194 games. Bauer was accused of assault, an accusation he has repeatedly denied.

Franco is set to earn $2million this season as part of a $182 million, 11-year contract that started in 2022.

Having to carry Franco on their 40-man roster, could have limited the Rays' offseason moves.