Wander Franco (22, Tampa Bay Rays), who was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor, was placed on administrative leave.
Major League Baseball (MLB) official website MLB.com said on the 23rd (hereinafter Korean time), “According to the agreement between the MLB Secretariat and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA), Franco will be on administrative leave until further notice.” “Administrative leave, effective immediately, is not a disciplinary action under the Common Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. We will make further comments at an appropriate time,” he added.
On the 14th, as revelations were raised on social media that Franco had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, the MLB Secretariat entered into an investigation, and the Tampa Bay team placed Franco on the list of restricted players.
According to the Associated Press, an American media outlet, on the 17th, the Minors and Sexual Violence Department of the Prosecutor’s Office in the southern Dominican Republic of Feravia, Franco’s home country, is conducting an investigation into the case. Depending on the results of the investigation, if the suspicion turns out to be true, there is a possibility that he will be permanently expelled from MLB.
Franco, who debuted in the major leagues in 2021, played in 70 games in his debut season and recorded a batting average of 0.288, 7 home runs, 39 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.810, and drew attention by finishing third in the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year voting. After the end of the 2021 season, Tampa Bay also signed an unusual long-term contract with Franco for 11 years and 182 million dollars (about 243.6 billion won). Including the club option for 2033, up to 12 years and $223 million (approximately 2,카지노사이트
Celebrating his third year in the big leagues, Franco played 112 games this season and was having his best season with a batting average of 0.281, 17 homers, 58 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and an OPS of 0.819. As an injured substitute for Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Franco, a ‘genius shortstop’ who participated in his first All-Star game and was on a winning streak, faced the biggest crisis of his career due to a sexual scandal controversy with a minor.
Meanwhile, regarding Franco’s administrative leave decision made by the MLB Secretariat, the Tampa Bay Club said, “We support the MLB Secretariat’s decision. The Tampa Bay Club is committed to maintaining a high level of integrity on and off the field. This process is ongoing. “We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans during this time. There will be no further statements on this matter until MLB has completed the process.”