SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — An appeals court has revoked a judicial pardon previously granted to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco after he was convicted of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. The ruling came on Thursday following a request from prosecutors in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Public Prosecutor’s Office contended that the initial pardon was based on a misinterpretation of legal provisions that should only apply under exceptional circumstances. They argued that such conditions did not apply to Franco’s case.
While Franco’s defense team opposed the prosecution’s motion, the appellate court upheld his conviction, which includes a suspended three-year prison sentence. As part of the ruling, Franco will not face imprisonment if he maintains a fixed residence and remains under judicial supervision.
Franco was arrested in January 2024, accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time. Reports indicated he transferred thousands of dollars to her mother to gain consent for the illegal relationship. Franco, who is currently 25, was convicted in June 2025.
In December 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays placed Franco on the restricted list, ceasing his pay while he was on administrative leave. He has not participated in Major League Baseball games since August 2023 when authorities announced the investigation into his conduct.
The court’s decision to impose conditional terms on Franco is intended to aid in his eventual reintegration into society, considering his age. However, failure to comply with these terms could result in him serving the entire three-year prison sentence.
Neither Franco nor his legal team made a statement following the court ruling.
During the proceedings, prosecutors reiterated the strength of their evidence against both Franco and the minor’s mother, who received a 10-year prison sentence for her involvement in the case, specifically for commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. The court also mandated the forfeiture of approximately $34,000 discovered in her possession, which prosecutors claimed was provided by Franco in exchange for consent regarding his relationship with her daughter.
Franco has the option to appeal the appellate court’s decision to the Supreme Court of Justice in the Dominican Republic.
Major League Baseball did not comment on the ruling.
