Tampa Bay Rays standout shortstop Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave through at least June 1 as the result of an investigation into an alleged relationship with an underage girl, according to reports.
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Franco's leave has been approved by the MLB Players Association, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Franco, 23, has been accused of having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He has not been with the Rays since August, though has not been charged with a crime.
"The question leading up to Thursday was whether Franco would be placed on the restricted list and not paid his $2 million salary, based on the premise that by not reporting to spring camp he is failing to provide his services," the Times wrote. "It has been unclear if Franco, with charges pending, would have been allowed in the United States had he tried to enter under his work visa. This decision seems to remove any financial motivation for Franco to try to report."
Wander Franco celebrates during a Tampa Rays' game against the New York Yankees. (Getty)
He is not likely to be with the team anytime soon, or at least not until the investigation is complete. Depending on the outcome, he could miss the entire season and beyond.
As an aside, Franco is due to make $2 million this season, the last with a low base after signing an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021. So he's still owed about $175 million.
That's a lot of money for a guy who isn't playing. It also hurts the Rays considerably on the field as they prepare to open the season.
As the New York Post noted, Franco "emerged as arguably the Rays' best player, posting a .819 OPS last season while hitting 17 homers, tallying 58 RBIs and adding 30 stolen bases."
MLB is "likely to wait" until after the investigation to make a decision on any sort of punishment, according to the Associated Press.
