By Ronald Blum
Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball on Tuesday while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate the All-Star shortstop for an alleged relationship with a minor.
The 22-year-old will be paid and receive service time while on administrative leave under an agreement with the players' association that did not set a timetable for a decision on whether he will be disciplined.
Franco was placed on the restricted list for a week on Aug. 14 while MLB launched an investigation following social media posts suggesting he was in a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been able to verify the reported posts.
MLB said the shift to administrative leave was not disciplinary under the sport’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. The administrative leave did not have the usual seven-day limit under the policy, so it is possible Franco will not return this season.
Ángel Darío Tejeda Fabal, a prosecutor in the Dominican Republic province of Peravia, said last week an investigation into Franco was open under a division specializing in minors and gender violence.
MLB is likely to wait until that investigation is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline, a person familiar with the probe told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that was not announced.
Franco was held out of the Rays' lineup on Aug. 13 in what manager Kevin Cash said was a day off, then missed a six-game West Coast trip while on the restricted list. The Rays issued a statement Tuesday supporting the administrative leave decision.
MLB and the union agreed to the joint domestic violence policy in 2015. A player continues to receive pay and accrue major league service while on administrative leave.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was on administrative leave from July 2, 2021, until the following April 29, when he was suspended for 324 games. The penalty was reduced by an arbitrator to 194 games. Bauer was accused of assault, an accusation he has repeatedly denied.
Franco has salaries of $2 million this season and next as part of a $182 million, 11-year contract that started in 2022.
He is in his third big league season and is hitting .281 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 40 attempts over 112 games.
Eighteen players have been disciplined by MLB under the domestic violence policy. The latest was New York Yankees pitcher Jimmy Cordero, who agreed on July 5 to a suspension for the final 76 games of the season.
The U.S. Men's Curling Team shocked the world by winning gold at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games last weekend. The team made history by becoming the first American curling team to win gold. Team members Joe Polo, Matt Hamilton, Tyler George, John Shuster, and John Landsteiner join us to talk about their victory.
James Ruth, senior director for Major League Soccer, and Mike LaBelle, the New York Red Bulls' first official Esports athlete, discuss the new EMLS Cup. The EMLS Cup is in partnership with FIFA 18 and kicks off April 5th.
The pro FIFA player, signed by New York Red Bulls, walked Cheddar through his training process. He says that gamers should avoid fast food the evening before!
The Hive's hosts Jon Kelly and Kristen Scholer discuss the latest news in politics, business, and technology. From Hope Hicks' sudden departure from The White House to the Kardashian's impact on social media, we have you covered.
Vanity Fair's Hive: We’re joined by the crew at Vanity Fair's Hive to discuss Hope Hicks' resignation. On Between Bells: TV reboot fever, and E!'s Seacrest problem. With Diply, The Hollywood Reporter, Zimbio, and more.
Tide made waves with its flurry of Super Bowl commercials.
One of those featured the beloved Old Spice Guy, Isaiah Mustafa, who stars in the Freeform series, 'Shadowhunters.' He stops by to tell us about the upcoming season of the show, and what "the man your man could smell like" actually smells like.
Adriaen Black is a made- to- measure luxury apparel company known for clothing some of the biggest names in sports.
Now, Founder Andrew Jang is launching a project to design custom interview attire for teens in New York City's YMCA College and Career Access Programs. Jang stops by with a few of his clients: Oakland Raiders Quarterback EJ Manuel, Jermon Bushrod of the Miami Dolphins, Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The directors of the new Netflix documentary series "Flint Town," Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari, and Jessica Dimmock, discuss the new show. "Flint Town" follows the lives of several police officers in the troubled city of Flint, Michigan.
Spotify files to go public. Dick's will immediately stop selling assault rifles. President Trump meets with lawmakers on gun control. White House communications director Hope Hicks is resigning from her post. Facebook launching a new initiative to take on sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
Olympians Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall made history at this year's winter games. The duo accomplished what no American woman had done before, capturing a medal in cross-country skiing. The pair share their experience in achieving gold in the team sprint free final.
