Major League Baseball (MLB) broke its silence this Thursday after learning of the sentence issued in the Dominican Republic against Dominican baseball player Wander Franco, who was sentenced to two years of suspended prison for sexual abuse of a minor.
The Collegiate Court of Puerto Plata found the 24-year-old player guilty of having a relationship with a teenager, and in addition to the suspended sentence, prohibited him from approaching minors for sexual purposes and imposed a fine equivalent to ten minimum wages.“Major League Baseball is proud to have a Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse, collectively bargained, which reflects our commitment to these issues. We are aware of the verdict issued today in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the time we deem appropriate.”
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The case, which began to shake up the sports scene in 2023, caused Franco to be removed from the field after being initially placed on administrative leave and, later, on the MLB restricted list. This measure prevented him from continuing to receive his salary. Despite the court verdict, the American league recalled that since 2015 its policy allows for the imposition of internal disciplinary sanctions regardless of what the courts decide. Therefore, MLB is expected to announce in the coming days whether Franco will face an additional suspension or even more severe measures that compromise his future in professional baseball.
