Rays' Wander Franco has appeal hearing scheduled for Tuesday

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Oct 8, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s appeal of his conviction on a charge of sexual abuse of a minor is scheduled to be heard Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.

But there is some question about whether it will take place or be postponed.

Franco is required to be present for the hearing in Puerto Plata, but there have been no public updates on his status since he was admitted to a private clinic in early September for mental health issues.

Franco, 24, was sent to the clinic after his father summoned police to attend to him at his Bani home due to concerns about his well-being.

Franco’s conviction in June stemmed from a relationship with a then-14-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic that started in December 2022, when he was 21.

He is serving a two-year suspended sentence, which is similar to probation, including the requirement he not approach minors with sexual intentions.

According to ESPN, Franco’s appeal is based on the contention that prosecutors failed to present evidence proving he had a romantic relationship with the girl. Meanwhile, the prosecution is appealing the severity of the sentence, Diario Las Americas reported.

There also is the question of who will represent Franco. He said he fired his lawyer following an odd incident in early September in which Franco claimed he was the victim of a robbery at a hotel but the lawyer said it was “just a misunderstanding.”

Franco has not played for the Rays since August 2023, when word of the relationship first surfaced on social media. He has been on Major League Baseball’s restricted list and not paid since charges were filed in July 2024. He is still due about $164 million from the $182 million, 11-year contract he signed with the Rays in November 2021.

His career is considered to be in jeopardy, as the guilty verdict for a crime of moral turpitude makes it unlikely he could secure a visa to be able to play in the United States.