ST. PETERSBURG — Wander Franco was taken off the Rays’ 40-man roster on Thursday and placed on administrative leave through June 1.
The decision was made in joint agreement by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association.
The move is really just a matter of paperwork, as the 23-year-old All-Star shortstop has been away from the team since mid-August, when allegations first surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Though Franco has not been formally charged, he remains under investigation in his native Dominican Republic, accused of sexual and psychological abuse, and abduction. He is required to make monthly check-ins with court officials through June 30 unless his case is resolved prior.
In setting an end date for this stay on administrative leave, the league and union basically established a two-month window for any developments in his case and status. If there are none, the parties will convene again and could decide to extend Franco’s stay on administrative leave, move him to the restricted list or consider other options. The administrative leave stay could end earlier if there is a significant change in Franco’s circumstances, such as resolution of the case in the Dominican.
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 failed to provide his services. 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.
In consultation with the Rays and likely with Franco’s representatives, MLB opted to put him back on administrative leave, a non-disciplinary action used when accusations against a player are made public before the league completes an investigation under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
Rays officials declined to comment on the move. Franco does not have a locker in the Tropicana Field clubhouse; he does have a four-page bio in the team’s 478-page media guide.
Franco, initially placed on the restricted list with a special provision to be paid after the allegations first surfaced in mid-August, was placed on administrative leave Aug. 22 and remained there the rest of the season. He was reinstated to the 40-man roster on Nov. 2 in a procedural move, as MLB said administrative leave is not in effect during the offseason, which technically started upon conclusion of the World Series.
Having to carry Franco on the 40-man roster potentially limited the Rays’ flexibility to make moves during the winter and spring, though they operated with the presumption he would be removed before their 26-man opening-day roster was due Thursday at noon in advance of the 4:10 p.m. opener against the Blue Jays. Once he was, they announced the trade acquisition of infielder Niko Goodrum, who took the open spot and was optioned to Triple A.
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Franco’s playing status is likely to remain uncertain for a while. Pending the timeline and conclusion of the Dominican investigation, he is then expected to be investigated by MLB officials and could be suspended under the domestic violence policy.
The Rays still owe Franco $174 million from the 11-year, $182 million guaranteed deal he signed in November 2021.
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Marc Topkin is a sports reporter covering the Tampa Bay Rays. Reach him at mtopkin@tampabay.com.