.Sep 26, 2024, 03:06 PM ETTampa Gulf Rays shortstop Wander Franco will stand hearing on charges that he sexually abused a minor following a court's ruling Thursday in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.Judge Pascual Valenzuela figured out that both the accusation as well as the evidence offered by the prosecutor had ample merits to call for a trial. Valenzuela would certainly conclude on a decision at the hearing, which carries out not possess a set date yet.Franco was actually positioned on Big league Baseball's limited list in July, resources had said to ESPN, after district attorneys in the Dominican State imposed 3 charges against him for an alleged sex-related connection with a then-14-year-old girl. Franco, 23, had actually been on managerial vacation as part of a bargain between MLB and also the players' association. The deal consisted of a provision that management leave of absence, in the course of which Franco was paid, would end if he was charged.Editor's Picks1 RelatedFranco encounters costs of sexual harassment, sex-related exploitation against a minor and human contraband. The charges carry a potential sentence of as much as twenty years.He is likewise under an MLB inspection under its residential physical violence, sexual assault and also child abuse policy till the case is actually resolved.Because Franco can easily not leave behind the Dominican Republic under his bond deal, his inability to file allowed the Rays to pursue the placement of Franco on the restricted list.Also on Thursday, the dad of the girl, who in January submitted a complaint versus Franco, reached an agreement along with Franco's lawful agents as well as removed his grievance. The relations to the contract were actually certainly not made known during the course of the hearing.Juan Arturo Recio is actually an ESPN Team Article writer located in the Dominican State.