When the Tampa Bay Rays position players hold their first official full-squad workout on Monday, prized shortstop Wander Franco won’t be there.
The 22-year-old did not report for spring training on Sunday, which was the team’s deadline, as he remains in the middle of considerable turmoil stemming from possible criminal charges in his native Dominican Republic following accusations he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the team declined to comment on Franco’s status besides saying he did not report.
Franco remains in the Dominican Republic and can’t enter the United States as the investigation persists, which may lead MLB to have to decide if he needs to be placed on administrative leave again or on the restricted list.
Should Franco end up on the restricted list, he would stand to miss out on the $2 million he is set to make this year as part of the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed in 2021.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said the team was not caught off guard by Franco’s absence.
Franco hasn’t played since Aug. 12, following the allegations made on social media.
“We’ve been prepared for it for quite some time,” Cash said. “And we’ve got to really focus our attention on the guys that are here. We’ve got a really good club and we’re eager to see a lot of players, so that’s helped.”
Franco’s legal woes seemed to take another hit on Saturday when it was reported that a member of his legal team opted to leave the case.
The move left Franco with just one lawyer remaining.
As for the Rays, their backup shortstop, Taylor Walls, is out, recovering from offseason hip surgery.
They traded for Seattle’s Jose Caballero last month, giving up outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley.
The team expects Caballero to be the starting shortstop on Opening Day.
The light-hitting Caballero presents a massive drop-off from Franco, who was having a standout season for the Rays a year ago.
Tampa Bay could also turn to top prospect Junior Caminero at some point.
But the fact remains Franco was expected to be the cornerstone of the Rays’ future, especially after signing the largest contract in franchise history.
Now, Franco is looking at potentially throwing away his MLB career, as well as facing 2-10 years in prison should he be found guilty of abduction and sexual abuse.
Authorities have until July 5 to charge him.
He was originally placed on the restricted list in August and could still be subject to MLB suspension, regardless of whether he is charged with a crime.
The league typically waits until the end of a criminal investigation before it levies a penalty of that kind.