Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor began Thursday in the Dominican Republic amid heavy military presence and few details. Prosecutors again laid out the framework of their case against Franco, which stems from a relationship that started in December 2022 when the girl was 14 and Franco 21. Franco was found guilty in June 2025 and sentenced to two ...

Dominican baseball star Wander Franco during his trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 26, 2025.

Luis Tavarez/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor began Thursday in the Dominican Republic amid heavy military presence and few details.

Prosecutors again laid out the framework of their case against Franco, which stems from a relationship that started in December 2022 when the girl was 14 and Franco 21.

Franco was found guilty in June 2025 and sentenced to two years of what essentially was probation. Both sides appealed, with his lawyer questioning the evidence and the prosecutors wanting the now 25-year-old to serve five years in prison.

A new trial was ordered in December, and after two delays, began Thursday. The girl’s mother, who was found guilty of trafficking charges, initially was sentenced to 10 years and then granted a new trial that is also underway.

District attorney Claudio Cordero told Dominican media last week the prosecutors “anticipate that within a week we will have a verdict, and it will result in a conviction for both individuals.”

When the re-trial was postponed March 30, ESPN reported that Franco was “notably upset” and “reacted poorly” to the decision for another delay, saying he wants the opportunity to return to playing to provide for his family. Franco was escorted out of the courtroom by security personnel, as well as by his family.

The new trial is expected to run a week, with a verdict announced by May 25.

Franco has not played for the Rays since word of the relationship first surfaced in August 2023, nor has he been paid since charges were filed in July 2024. He is still owed more than $160 million by the team under an 11-year, $182 million contract signed in November 2021.