A new report suggests that due to the ongoing legal issues for Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco, he could be banned from reentering the United States and his baseball career could be in danger of ending.
Over the first three years of his career, Wander Franco has quickly become not only one of the Rays’ best young players but one of the top talents on their entire roster. In 2023, the 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic earned All-Star honors and was a key part of their red-hot start and pursuit of the American League East title. Then it all fell apart in August.
Related: Wander Franco released from prison in D.R. amid investigation
Toward the end of the season, rumors began to spread linking the shortstop to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an underaged female in the Dominican Republic. While the young star took to Instagram to deny the claims, he was eventually indefinitely suspended by the organization and never returned as an investigation by MLB and officials in the Dominican Republic played out.
Last month, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and police in his home country were reportedly having trouble finding the MLB player. Eventually, Franco was located by officials, arrested, questioned, and officially charged with sexual and psychological abuse — which is an aggravated felony in the Dominican Republic.
Due to the severity of the charges against the shortstop in his homeland, he reportedly now could have trouble returning to the United States for Tampa Bay Rays spring training, despite a DR judge ruling that he is free to leave the country as long as he returns one a month to appear before authorities.
Wander Franco’s Tampa Bay Rays career could be over
On Tuesday, The Athletic spoke with several immigration attorneys about Franco’s current situation and things don’t look good for his baseball career.
“Barring a full exoneration in this case, where it comes out that this was all made up, I don’t see him very likely coming back anytime soon, if ever,” former prosecutor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Javad Khazaeli told the outlet. “The likelihood he would come into the U.S., even if he had a valid visa that wasn’t revoked, is minimal.”
Related: Dominican Republic police reportedly hunting for Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco
Khazaeli added that because of the legitimate charges against him, the US government would adhere to those claims and block Franco from being issued a visa to return to the US to play for the Rays — for the time being.
“There is a credible allegation against him. And there is a law enforcement prosecution in a country which we believe is democratic,” he said. “We [the U.S.] are going to defer to that. Barring something [unforeseen], I can’t imagine his visa is going to be approved [in the short term].”
The All-Star reportedly has a five-year P-1A Athlete visa. If he is not back in time for Rays opening day, the organization would have to place him on the restricted list and it would mean he would not get what he is owed on the $174 million, 11-year deal he signed in 2021. A conviction in the Dominican Republic under US immigration law would lead to a permanent ban from reentering.
The attorneys they spoke with also suggested that even if he were found guilty to a lesser charge he could have a difficult time being able to return to the US, meaning a full exoneration is likely the only way Wander Franco could be able to continue his Tampa Bay Rays career.