Wander Franco, once celebrated as the Tampa Bay Rays’ franchise shortstop and a rising star in Major League Baseball, now finds himself at the center of a storm that has little to do with his athletic prowess. On September 9, 2025, Franco was detained by police in the Dominican Republic and admitted to a mental health clinic in his hometown of Baní, following a request from his family. The news, confirmed by police spokesperson Col. Diego Pesqueira, has sent shockwaves through both the baseball world and his home country.
According to authorities, Franco’s admission to the clinic was not linked to any ongoing legal cases. Pesqueira made it clear in statements to Dominican media and the Associated Press: “He is not in custody; he wasn’t sought in that capacity, but rather was sought to provide him the assistance requested by his own family.” Franco’s father reportedly reached out for help early Tuesday morning, prompting police and a medical team to respond to the family’s home in Baní, about 40 miles south of Santo Domingo.
The situation unfolded in real time for Franco’s social media followers. During an Instagram Live session, Franco showed police officers at his door, saying in Spanish, “Look at the police here. They want to take me, look.” The device dropped, but audio continued, with Franco audibly interacting with officers and at one point shouting at them to show their hands. The video quickly spread across social platforms, fueling speculation and concern about the 24-year-old’s mental state.
This latest incident comes on the heels of other troubling developments. Just days before his detention, Franco took to Instagram Live again, claiming that approximately $16,000—or one million Dominican pesos—had been stolen from his hotel room at a resort in Puerto Plata. His attorney, Teodosio Jáquez, later told reporters that the money had been found and chalked up the episode to confusion. Franco, however, rejected his attorney’s version and doubled down on his claim that the money was still missing. The public back-and-forth only added to the sense of chaos surrounding the embattled athlete.
Franco’s off-field troubles began in earnest in August 2023, when reports surfaced alleging he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The accusations, which first appeared on social media, quickly prompted investigations by both Dominican authorities and Major League Baseball. The Rays placed Franco on administrative leave as the investigation unfolded, and he has not played in an MLB game since August 2023.
By 2024, the situation had grown even more serious. Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic after being accused of having a four-month relationship with the underage girl and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother in exchange for her consent. In November 2024, Franco was arrested again, this time after what authorities described as an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 registered to his uncle—a case that remains pending in court.
Six months after his November arrest, the Rays placed Franco on the restricted list, ending his paid administrative leave. The team cited his failure to report and the need for a new U.S. visa as reasons for the move. This action effectively cut off Franco’s pay, a stark contrast to the lucrative 11-year, $182 million contract he signed with Tampa Bay in late 2021. At the time of the deal, Franco was seen as one of baseball’s brightest young talents, and the contract was the largest in Rays history.
In June 2025, Franco’s legal saga reached a new chapter when he was convicted of sexually abusing a minor and handed a two-year suspended prison sentence with several unspecified conditions. The court also found the victim’s mother, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, guilty and sentenced her to 10 years in prison for her role in the affair. One of the conditions for Franco’s suspended sentence is that he must not approach minors for sexual purposes.
Despite his legal woes, Franco has continued to insist that he is still training and hopes to return to professional baseball. “I’m still training,” Franco has told reporters, but his future in MLB is shrouded in uncertainty. Major League Baseball’s investigation into his conduct remains open, and with his U.S. visa status in jeopardy, a return to the field seems unlikely in the near term.
Adding to Franco’s troubles are additional allegations from at least two other minors, who have accused him of engaging in relationships with them while they were underage. While these cases have not yet resulted in new charges, they cast an even darker shadow over his reputation and raise questions about whether he will ever don a major league uniform again.
Franco’s fall from grace has been swift and dramatic. In 2023, he was in the midst of a breakout season, dazzling fans with his offensive skills and defensive prowess. The Rays, convinced they had a generational talent on their hands, made him the centerpiece of their future plans. But the allegations and subsequent legal battles have derailed what once looked like a Hall of Fame trajectory.
The Rays have remained largely silent since Franco’s conviction, releasing a brief statement in June 2025 that they would “continue to let his legal situation play out in the Dominican Republic.” MLB has echoed that sentiment, saying its own investigation is ongoing. With Franco’s most recent admission to a mental health facility, it’s clear that his struggles extend beyond the courtroom and the diamond.
For now, the baseball world watches and waits. Franco’s story is a cautionary tale of talent overshadowed by personal turmoil and legal scandal. Whether he will ever return to the sport that once embraced him remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Wander Franco saga is far from over.
As Franco receives treatment in Baní, questions linger about his mental health, his legal future, and the lasting impact of his actions on the sport he once electrified. The Rays and MLB continue their investigations, while fans and observers grapple with the unraveling of a once-promising career. The next chapter, whatever it may hold, is sure to be closely watched by the baseball world and beyond.
