Former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has once again made headlines following a troubling turn of events. The 24-year-old, who was convicted of sexually abusing a minor earlier this year, was detained by police in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday before being admitted to a private mental health clinic in his hometown of Baní, according to the Associated Press.
Reports indicate Franco’s family requested that authorities intervene, which ultimately led to his detention and subsequent admission to the facility.
This latest development adds to a string of off-field issues that have defined Franco’s downfall since his suspension from Major League Baseball. In November 2024, he was arrested for illegally carrying a modified Glock 19. The Rays later placed him on the restricted list, cutting off his pay. His failure to report to the team in early 2025 further complicated matters, with visa issues reportedly preventing his return.
Franco’s legal troubles date back to August 2023, when authorities began investigating him for sexual abuse of a minor. He was arrested the following year after evidence surfaced of his relationship with a 14-year-old girl, along with reports that he paid the girl’s mother thousands of dollars to consent to the relationship. Later in 2024, he faced another arrest for illegal possession of a firearm.
Though Franco has not been arrested since, his name has continued to appear in controversy. Earlier this year, he claimed $16,000 was stolen from him, contradicting statements from his attorney that the issue had been resolved.
As of now, Franco maintains that he is still training with hopes of returning to MLB, though his future in the league remains highly uncertain. Once viewed as one of the sport’s brightest young stars, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021 and showcased his offensive talent during parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons before his career derailed.