Wander Franco is to stand trial in a sexual abuse case

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will stand trial on charges that he sexually assaulted a minor following a judge’s ruling Thursday in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Judge Pascual Valenzuela ruled that both the accusation and the evidence presented by the prosecution had sufficient merit to warrant a trial. Valenzuela would rule on a verdict during the trial, which does not yet have a set date.

Franco was placed on Major League Baseball’s restricted list in July, sources had told ESPN, after prosecutors in the Dominican Republic filed three charges against him over an alleged sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old girl. Franco, 23, had been on administrative leave as part of a deal between MLB and the players’ association. The agreement included a provision that administrative leave, during which Franco was paid, would end if he was indicted.

Franco is accused of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking. The charges carry a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.

He is also under MLB investigation under the Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy until the matter is resolved.

Because Franco cannot leave the Dominican Republic under his bail agreement, his inability to report allowed the Rays to pursue Franco’s placement on the restricted list.

Also Thursday, the girl’s father, who filed a complaint against Franco in January, reached an agreement with Franco’s legal representatives and withdrew his complaint. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed during the hearing.

Juan Arturo Recio is an ESPN staff writer based in the Dominican Republic.