Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco Fails to Show Up For Summoning in Dominican Republic

After reportedly being searched for by authorities in the Dominican Republic, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was summoned by the authorities. He elected not to show up and has dismissed his legal team.

UPDATE: Dec. 28, 3:15 p.m. ET: Franco did not show up for his summons and has dismissed his legal team, per ESPN:

Olga Diná Llaverías said Franco did not show up to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents at 11 a.m. -- the time he had been given to appear in Santo Domingo.

Diná Llaverías said the agency would continue with the investigation but did not discuss details in a short news conference with reporters...

Documents seen by The Associated Press showed that Franco had dismissed his legal team.

On Tuesday, we heard a story about two homes being raided as authorities in the Dominican Republic searched for Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco.

On Wednesday, we hear that Franco has been summoned by Dominican authorities.

Per the New York Post:

Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been summoned for questioning in the Dominican Republic following allegations that he had inappropriate relations with minor girls.

The country’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents gave the summons to Franco’s lawyers for him to appear for questioning in the probe on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Santo Domingo, ESPN Deportes reported on Wednesday.

This is the continuation of stunning fall for Franco, who has gone from one of the best young players in baseball to a guy who may possibly never play again.

There's certainly more at play than baseball here, but from a baseball perspective, this whole story is a terrible development for the Rays.

Tampa Bay invested the biggest contract in franchise history in Franco, giving him an 11-year deal in 2021. If he's unable to play for all or part of the 2024 season, the team's chances of competing in the loaded American League East certainly goes down.

The 22-year-old made his debut in 2021 and owns a lifetime .282 average over three seasons. He made the All-Star team in 2023 and hit .281 for the Rays, who won 99 games and made the playoffs. He also had 17 homers, 58 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

His contract was for $182 million.

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