Rays' Wander Franco loses appeal as guilty verdict is upheld, suspended prison sentence added

An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Thursday granted a request by prosecutors to revoke a judicial pardon previously awarded to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco after he was convicted for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.

The Dominican Public Prosecutor's Office argued the lower court's original pardon rested on an erroneous interpretation of legal provisions intended only for exceptional circumstances -- conditions that prosecutors maintained do not apply to Franco's case.

Franco's defence team objected to the motion, but the appellate court ruled in favour of the prosecution, upholding Franco's previous conviction, with a suspended three-year prison sentence. Franco will not be required to serve time in custody provided he maintains a fixed residence and remains under judicial supervision.

Franco was arrested in January 2024 after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship. Franco, now 25, was originally convicted in June of 2025.

Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He hasn't played in the majors since. Tampa Bay was eliminated from the World Series on Wednesday night by the Milwaukee Brewers.

The court on Thursday imposed conditional terms considering Franco's age and to support his eventual reintegration into society. If he fails to comply with any of the conditions, he will be required to serve the full three-year prison sentence.

Neither Franco nor his legal counsel offered statements to the press upon leaving the courthouse.

Franco, who was once