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The four-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder played nine years with the Rays before joining the Blue Jays.
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Prosecutors also say Franco paid the girl’s mother thousands of dollars to consent to the relationship, which lasted four months.
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Franco is accused of committing sexual and psychological abuse of the minor. The deadline to press charges was July 5, but Dominican Republic law allows a judge to grant an extra 10 days for prosecutors to present their conclusions.
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Wander Franco's administrative leave is extended through July 14 by the MLB and players' associationTampa Bay’s All-Star shortstop has not played since Aug. 12 while MLB continues its investigation into an alleged relationship with a minor.
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With many games held without fans or with limited crowds because of pandemic restrictions, larger incentives tied to publicly funded stadiums and arenas in Florida posted negative returns.
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Franco, who has a $2 million salary this year, remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate.
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Tampa Bay hosts Toronto, and the Trop is sold out for Game 1 of 162. Can the Rays reach the postseason for the sixth straight season? Typically, the experts aren't sure, but no one is calling them an underdog, either.
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The Tampa Bay Rays, coming off their fifth straight postseason appearance, return to Charlotte Sports Park after a year away because of damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
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Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation, and money laundering, following the investigation he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He has not been formally accused.
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Rachel Balkovec, the first woman to manage a Major League Baseball affiliate, is set to become the Marlins' director of player development, an AP source said.
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A judge in the Dominican Republic has ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. He is still facing allegations that he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.
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The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in jail for now after being detained on Monday in Puerto Plata, where the alleged act occurred.