MLB Makes Decision On Wander Franco's Immediate Future

The Wander Franco investigation continues—both by Dominican Republic police and by major league baseball. But today, MLB has placed the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop on extended administrative leave. He won't be returning to the team anytime soon. 

UPDATE WANDER FRANCO

"Per an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA, #WanderFranco has been placed on Administrative Leave until further notice as MLB continues its ongoing investigation. The administrative leave, effective immediately, is not disciplinary under the Joint Domestic… pic.twitter.com/16SNUNRViG

— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) August 22, 2023

The troubled 22-year-old has already missed the past week of games after the Rays placed him on the restricted list after word emerged of allegations of Franco having relationships with underage girls in the Dominican.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, "Administrative leave" means that a player is removed from a team's roster during an ongoing investigation into a potential violation of the sport's domestic violence policy. MLB and the MLBPA agreed that his leave would last "until further notice" while the legal situation and the investigation play out. 

Since the joint policy on domestic violence came into effect in 2015, sixteen players have been suspended, from a range of 15 games to 324 games (for Trevor Bauer, which was reduced to 194 games). 

Safe to say that even once the Dominican authorities make their decision on Franco, any potential return to major league baseball may still be quite a ways off as he'll be facing a suspension.

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports