After charges were filed in the Dominican Republic against shortstop Wander Franco, The Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday moved Franco off of Major League Baseball’s administrative leave list, and placed him on the restricted list. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times was the first to report the move.
More #Rays Franco news:
With charges filed, Franco’s stay on administrative leave ended. Team requested, MLB approved shift to restricted list since he can’t report to play, meaning he now won’t get paid or service time as he had. Not a disciplinary action to the charges.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 10, 2024
As Topkin reports, the move to the restricted list means the Rays no longer have to pay Franco his salary, nor does the 23-year-old accrue any more service time. Franco is scheduled to make $2.4 million this year, the third of an 11-year, $182 million deal signed prior to the 2022 season.
There is currently no timeframe reported as to when Franco’s trial on charges of trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor could start in the Dominican Republic.