Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, 22, who is under investigation for sexual misconduct, has been placed on administrative leave.
“Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLB Players’ Union,안전놀이터Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave pending MLB’s investigation and determination of the facts surrounding the allegations,” Major League Baseball (MLB) announced in a press release today. This action does not constitute discipline under the Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse.
Tampa Bay released a statement shortly thereafter, saying, “We respect MLB’s decision to place Franco on administrative leave. We are committed to maintaining a high level of dignity on and off the field. We thank our fans for their understanding and patience as this process unfolds.
Earlier, on 15 May, Tampa Bay met with Franco and placed him on the “restricted list” after reports surfaced that he was under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a minor in his native Dominican Republic.
Franco has been placed on the restricted list pending the outcome of the investigation, which could mean a lengthy absence from the majors.
It’s possible he could end up in the same situation as Trevor Bauer (Yokohama BayStars). Bauer was placed on administrative leave by MLB after allegations of sexual assault, and after a year and a half of investigation, discipline, and appeals, he was eventually released from Major League Baseball to play in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Trevor Bauer was suspended from Major League Baseball after a year-and-a-half-long battle with the league over sexual assault allegations. AP
Because the administrative leave is literally a suspension and not a punishment, Franco will continue to be paid by Tampa Bay as per his contract. He signed an 11-year, $182 million extension after the 2021 season, his major league debut. His salary this season is $2.454 million.
If Franco follows in Bauer’s footsteps, Tampa Bay may have to pay out all of his guaranteed salary. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed Bauer to a three-year, $120 million free agent contract in February 2021, are paying him about $2,353 of his promised salary this season, the final year of the deal.
Franco has reportedly denied the alleged behaviour. He has not made a public statement or given an interview since the incident broke, and according to local reports, he has retained lawyers in both the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Franco batted .281 (124-for-442) with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 65 runs scored and an OPS of 0.819 in 112 games this season. The last game he played was at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the 13th.