PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday.

Wander Franco’s legal team will appeal the June verdict that found the Rays All-Star shortstop guilty of sexually abusing a minor and threatens to end his major-league career, his lawyer said Friday.

The legal saga surrounding Wander Franco is heating up and has reached a critical juncture. According to ESPN.com.do's journalist Juan Arturo Recio, the Dominican Republic's Prosecutor's Office is ...

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Dominican prosecutors requested that suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at ...

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, left, reacts after hearing his sentence during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco attends his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) ...

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco talks to his lawyer, Teodosio Jaquez during his trial on charges of sexually abusing a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Monday, June 2, 2025.