Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was involved in an armed altercation in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic and was placed under arrest, police announced Monday.
Meregirdo Espinosa, a Dominican police spokesman, told The Associated Press that the incident occurred in San Juan de la Maguana, a town about 117 miles west of the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo. Another man and a woman were also arrested, Espinosa said, and two weapons were seized.
Espinosa said one of the guns likely belonged to Franco, who allegedly came to blows with another man over the woman.
Police did not say whether there were any injuries.
Franco, who is 23, is scheduled to appear Dec. 12 in the Puerto Plata district in a sexual assault case involving a 14-year-old minor. He was also accused of sexual and commercial exploitation of the young victim, and human trafficking.
Franco was paroled on January 5, 2024, four days after he was arrested in connection with the allegations against him.
Franco, who has yet to meet with members of the media, said of the matter that “it’s in God’s hands.”
Franco was playing his third season in the Major Leagues when his career was interrupted in August 2023. He accepted an 11-year, US$182 million contract from the Rays in November 2021.
The Rays placed his name on Major League Baseball’s restricted list on July 10, preventing him from receiving the salary he received while on administrative leave.
