Tuesday started with some news for Tampa Bay Rays and MLB fans: the league placed Wander Franco on administrative leave, as they (and Dominican Republic authorities) investigate him for alleged relationships with underage girls.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale clarified the news and explained some details.
“Tampa Bay #Rays star Wander Franco’s administrative leave is not indefinite, but there’s also no end date, as the investigation is in the early stages. Certainly, it’s unlikely that Franco will return this season,” he tweeted.
Tampa Bay #Rays star Wander Franco’s administrative leave is not indefinite, but there’s also no end date, as the investigation is in the early stages.
Certainly, it’s unlikely that Franco will return this season.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 22, 2023
The Rays will have to move forward without their best position player indefinitely (which is essentially what Nightengale meant), possibly for the rest of the season and maybe for longer than that.
It will all depend on the results of the investigations, and that might take some time.
The league and the DR authorities are still in the phase of gathering potential evidence in the case so we might not be close to a resolution.
Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, Franco’s placement on administrative leave is “not disciplinary,” so he will continue to get paid and accumulate service time.
Wander Franco’s administrative leave has now been made official by MLB and the MLBPA. Franco, according to the release, is on leave “until further notice.” The league’s release notes that admin leave is not disciplinary. Franco will continue to be paid and accrue service on it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 22, 2023
Of course, the most important thing in this case won’t be the future of the Rays or how will they replace Franco.
Even if the authorities don’t find the player guilty, the league can still discipline him like they did with Trevor Bauer in his alleged sexual assault case.
This is just the latest chapter of what looks to be a long saga of legal updates and some potentially disturbing allegations.
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MLB Insider Reveals Massive Wander Franco Update