Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested within the Dominican Republic on Monday afternoon, in response to ESPN. The arrest stems from Franco’s failure to look at summons final week — an vital distinction because it means Franco was not detained because of an development within the ongoing investigation into his alleged inappropriate relationships with a number of minors.

Franco and new attorneys Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación and Juan Francisco Rodríguez Consoró met with prosecutors on Monday morning to handle these accusations. Dominican Republic legal guidelines stipulate that he’ll go earlier than a decide inside 48 hours, or someday on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at newest. 

The Rays issued no remark to the Tampa Bay Instances when requested concerning the Monday’s develpments.

ESPN reported final week that at the very least two folks have “filed authorized motion” towards Franco, and {that a} third had accused him of improper conduct with out but in search of authorized motion. Dominican authorities and MLB have continued to analyze the allegations made towards him. 

The Related Press reported that Franco just lately modified his authorized illustration. 

Franco, 22, was positioned on Main League Baseball’s Restricted Listing in August after he was first accused of the improper relationship on social media. Franco continued to be paid for the remainder of the season regardless of not showing in a recreation since Aug. 12. The Rays, in what amounted to a paper transfer, activated him to the 40-player roster at first of the offseason. 

Franco signed an 11-year extension value $182 million with the Rays again in November 2021. He made the All-Star Recreation this previous summer time.