‘Underage sex scandal’ 2400 billionaire shortstop Franco eventually placed on administrative leave

By Oh Sang-jin Reporter= Wander Franco (22, Tampa Bay Rays) has been placed on administrative leave following allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

“Pursuant to an agreement between the MLB Office of the Commissioner and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), Franco has been placed on administrative leave until further notice,” MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), reported on Wednesday (Nov. 23). “The administrative leave, effective immediately, does not constitute discipline under the Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse. We will provide further comment at the appropriate time.”

Franco was placed on the restricted list by the Tampa Bay Rays after revelations surfaced on social media on Thursday that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, prompting an investigation by the MLB office.

According to the Associated Press, the Minors and Sexual Violence Unit of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Southern Peravia Province in Franco’s home country, the Dominican Republic, is investigating the case. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Franco could be permanently banned from MLB if the allegations are proven to be true.

Franco made his major league debut in 2021, hitting .288 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs and an OPS of .810 in 70 games in his rookie season, finishing third in American League (AL) Rookie of the Year voting. After the 2021 season, Tampa Bay made the unusual move of signing Franco to an 11-year, $182 million contract. With a team option for 2033, the deal was worth up to 12 years and $223 million, signaling Tampa Bay’s high expectations for Franco.바카라사이트

Franco, in his third year in the big leagues, was coming off his best season this year, hitting .281 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 30 doubles and an OPS of .819 in 112 games. Franco, who was on his way to his first All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), is now in the midst of the biggest crisis of his career due to an underage sex scandal.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays responded to the MLB office’s decision to place Franco on administrative leave, saying, “We support the MLB office’s decision. Tampa Bay is committed to maintaining a high level of integrity on and off the field. We thank our fans for their understanding and patience as this process unfolds. There will be no further statements on this matter until MLB completes its process.”