The Tampa Bay Rays have found themselves in a difficult situation recently.
Shortstop Wander Franco has been absent from the team’s games since last week after reports surfaced detailing potential relationships he had engaged in with minors.
The expectation was that the young shortstop would ultimately be placed on administrative leave while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigated him.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Major League Baseball has reached a decision on what to do with Franco for the time being.
Passan revealed on Twitter that MLB has placed Franco on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.
Major League Baseball has placed Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on administrative leave as the league and authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate Franco's alleged relationships with underaged girls, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 22, 2023
Franco is not the first player in recent memory to have been placed on paid administrative leave in the midst of an investigation.
Back in 2021, right-hander Trevor Bauer was placed on administrative leave amid allegations of sexual assault.
MLB ultimately conducted an investigation and gave him a suspension.
He is now pitching in Japan.
A similar fate could befall Franco if the reports of him engaging in relationships with minors are true.
This has recently been a focal point of recent baseball news, and those around the league are waiting to see what will ultimately come of this investigation and if Franco will ever play in the Major Leagues again.
More than likely, this will spell the end of his 2023 season.
The Rays will be forced to improvise for the rest of the year at the shortstop position as they look to fill the void that was created by Franco’s absence.
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