Wander Franco scheduled for Aug. 14 trial after being charged with sexual abuse of 14-year-old girl
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic with sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.
Wander Franco's administrative leave extended through July 14 by MLB, players' association
Wander Francoโs administrative leave was extended through July 14 by Major League Baseball and the playersโ association.
Rays' Wander Franco placed on administrative leave through June 1 as sexual abuse probe continues
Tampa Bay All-Star shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the playersโ association while the investigation continues in an alleged relationship with a minor.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces lesser charge as judge analyzes evidence in ongoing probe
Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.
Dominican judge orders conditional release of Rays shortstop Wander Franco while probe continues
A judge in the Dominican Republic has ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco.
Prosecutors accuse Rays shortstop Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation, money laundering
Dominican prosecutors have accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco arrested amid allegations of relationship with minor, AP source says
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been arrested in the Dominican Republic after being interviewed by prosecutors investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor.
Dominican baseball player Wander Franco fails to appear at prosecutor's office amid investigation
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco failed to show up for a meeting with a prosecutor who is investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor.
Wander Franco earns $700,000 bonus from MLB pool despite ongoing investigation
Wander Franco will receive a bonus from Major League Baseball of more than $700,000 despite being placed on administrative leave in August while under investigation for an alleged relationship with a minor.
Seattle's Julio Rodrรญguez tops pre-arbitration bonus pool at nearly $1.87 million
Seattle center fielder Julio Rodrรญguez will receive the largest amount in the $50 million pool for pre-arbitration players, earning $1,865,349.
MLB investigating after Urรญas' arrest on felony charge of corporal injury on a spouse
Major League Baseball has opened an investigation into Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urรญas after he was arrested Sunday on a felony charge of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
Rays' Wander Franco moved to administrative leave while MLB, Dominican authorities investigate
Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate the Tampa Bay Rays' All-Star shortstop for an alleged relationship with a minor.
Dominican investigation of Rays' Wander Franco is being led by gender violence and minors division
A prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says the investigation into Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Francoโs alleged relationship with a minor is being handled by a division specializing in minors and gender violence in the province of Peravia.
Dominican authorities investigate Rays' Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor
Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating Tampa Bay All-Star shortstop Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor, according to the office of the attorney general in his native country.
National League snaps All-Star Game losing streak, tops AL 3-2 behind Elias Dรญaz homer
Elias Dรญaz hit a two-run homer off Fรฉlix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the National League snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 win over the American League.
Majors-leading Braves beat the Rays 2-1 in a matchup of teams with the best records in baseball
Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer and the red-hot Atlanta Braves began a weekend series between teams with the best records in the major leagues with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
Isaac Paredes homers as Tampa Bay Rays beat Los Angeles Dodgers 11-10
Isaac Paredes homered and drove in four runs as the MLB-best Tampa Bay Rays took two of three from the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers with an 11-10 victory.
Rays win modern record 14th straight at home to start season
Rookie Taj Bradley won his third consecutive start to begin his big league career and the Tampa Bay Rays set a modern era MLB record with their 14th consecutive home win to begin a season, 8-3 over the Houston Astros.
Rays win 12th straight to start season, 1 shy of MLB record
The Tampa Bay Rays won their 12th straight game to start the season, one short of the major league record, as Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer in a 9-7 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Rays hit 4 more homers, beat Red Sox for 11th straight win
The Tampa Bay Rays ran their season-opening win streak to 11 games, using another homer for Brandon Lowe and a strong performance by Shane McClanahan to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2.
Rays top Red Sox 1-0, extend season-opening win streak to 10
The Tampa Bay Rays became the first major league team since the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers to open the season with 10 straight wins, getting a solo homer from Brandon Lowe in the eighth inning to beat the Boston Red Sox 1-0.
Rays rout A's 11-0, tie best MLB opening in 20 years at 9-0
The Tampa Bay Rays matched the best start to a major league season in 20 years, routing the Oakland Athletics 11-0 for a 9-0 record as Drew Rasmussen combined on a one-hitter and Brandon Lowe hit a grand slam.
Wander Franco drives in 3 as Rays beat Blue Jays 10-5
Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders.
Judge, Yankees start with 7 straight hits, rout Kluber, Rays
Leadoff man Aaron Judge singled twice during a six-run first inning off Corey Kluber as the New York Yankees started with seven straight hits for the first time since 1990 and routed the Tampa Bay Rays 10-3.
Rays beat Yankees 9-0 to move within 5 games in AL East
Jeffrey Springs pitched neatly into the sixth inning, Christian Bethancourt hit a two-run homer in the seventh, and the Tampa Bay Rays moved within five games of the AL East-leading New York Yankees with a 9-0 victory.
Arozarena's early homer sends Rays past skidding Yankees 3-1
Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer off Nestor Cortes in the first inning and the Tampa Bay staff made it stand up, leading the Rays over the skidding New York Yankees 3-1.
Rasmussen loses perfect game in 9th, Rays beat Orioles 4-1
Drew Rasmussen took a perfect game into the ninth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays expanded their lead over Baltimore for the final AL wild card to 1 1/2 games with a 4-1 victory over the Orioles.
$650K in jewelry stolen from Tampa Bay Rays starโs Rolls-Royce while parked at Jacksonville hotel
An Orange Park man is accused of stealing more than $650,000 in jewelry last month from a Rolls-Royce owned by Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco while it was parked at a Jacksonville hotel, according to multiple media reports.
LEADING OFF: O's go for 8th win in row, Devers out for Bosox
Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and the surprising Baltimore Orioles try on Sunday for their eighth straight win, which would match their best streak in 17 years.
Judge homers twice, Yankees come back to beat Rays 5-4
Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 26th and 27th home runs, Jose Trevino delivered a two-run shot that put New York ahead in the eighth inning and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.
Cole no-hit bid into 8th, Yanks beat Rays 4-2 for 50th win
Gerrit Cole took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks hit a tiebreaking triple in the ninth as Manuel Margot slammed into the right-field wall and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 for their 50th win.
Rizzo HR in 9th, Yanks edge Rays for 14th straight home win
Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the streaking New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 for their 14th straight home win.
Kluber, Cole duel, Rays end Yankees' 4-game winning streak
Corey Kluber and Gerrit Cole dueled evenly for six impressive innings before the Tampa Bay Rays scored a pair of late runs to beat the Yankees 3-1, ending New Yorkโs four-game winning streak.
Arozarena's 2 HRs spoil Rutschman's debut as Rays top O's
Randy Arozarena hit a pair of homers, Jeffrey Springs threw shutout ball into the sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled the debut of Baltimore Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman with a 6-1 victory.
Rays snap 3-game skid, hold off Angels 4-2 in 10 innings
Vidal Brujรกn got an RBI double leading off the 10th inning for his first hit of the season, and the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from their no-hit loss with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Kluber looks good, Rays beat Orioles 8-0 to complete sweep
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber looked good in his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching into the fifth inning to help the defending AL East champions beat Baltimore 8-0 and complete a season-opening sweep of the Orioles.
Scherzer, Seager get big-money deals ahead of CBA expiration
Right-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.
![Rays' remarkable season comes to sudden end at Fenway Park](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/yxgUfaAWZ51ZeH8yW7U9aBOHZs4=/800x534/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3YWG6Y7HKJHEFMY6HTUSNB7K6Q.jpg)
Rays' remarkable season comes to sudden end at Fenway Park
The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays saw their record-setting season come to a sudden end Monday night when they lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 4 of their Division Series and were eliminated in the best-of-five playoff.
![Arozarena shines, Rays blank Red Sox 5-0 in ALDS opener](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/vmkQU6Iu0Pyb018T3JbubXON4_U=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TXGOQVKB7VFQBCBES3V3XHHGKM.jpg)
Arozarena shines, Rays blank Red Sox 5-0 in ALDS opener
Randy Arozarena became the first player to hit a home run and steal home in a postseason game, and rookie Shane McClanahan pitched the Tampa Bay Rays past the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in their AL Division Series opener.
![Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/3GuTQp2OcnHvHDlaY-HV6xApxus=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SY5YX5H2LBAJZNY53GACK5DFGY.jpg)
Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.
![With MVPs out, new stars set to shine in MLB postseason](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/NXCq-10uMLkgzKEsZ6GK_wurbPU=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KPFHFJ7QJBF2THAZXZIM5V2GAM.jpg)
With MVPs out, new stars set to shine in MLB postseason
With Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper and the rest of baseball's MVP front-runners left out of the postseason, there's a chance for some budding stars to cement their place among the game's top names.
![Yanks' rally fizzles, AL wild-card race tightens as Rays win](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/SGcY7rKY8UHWgkjyCvrAWWCslJ8=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QKN6X7B7GFFKHPPIQISXZBVALA.jpg)
Yanks' rally fizzles, AL wild-card race tightens as Rays win
Gary Sรกnchez and Rougned Odor both struck out with two runners on to blunt a ninth-inning rally and the New York Yankeesโ lead atop the AL wild-card race got even tighter with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
![LEADING OFF: Braves & Astros can clinch, MadBum in SanFran](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Ucpo8_n4xbIhaj7nZruvFBHzzhI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DCZCEKRNJNHYDNS5OJFJFI57LQ.jpg)
LEADING OFF: Braves & Astros can clinch, MadBum in SanFran
Atlanta can clinch its fourth consecutive NL East title Thursday night with a win at home over Philadelphia, which would complete a three-game sweep of their high-stakes series.
![Rays clinch top seed in AL playoffs, stall Astros in West](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/PiGOnpO91HuxJIImI0vm6JYXg1U=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FXZCK5IOYBH6NJFX6WO5WB7RZI.jpg)
Rays clinch top seed in AL playoffs, stall Astros in West
Drew Rasmussen and three relievers combined for a three-hitter, Brandon Lowe and Ji-Man Choi both homered and the Tampa Bay Rays coasted past the Houston Astros 7-0, giving them the No. 1 seed in the American League playoffs.
![Rays clinch 2nd straight AL East title, beat Marlins 7-3](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/irER5DNdadMgSVbtvgu6c2jAgrc=/800x605/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/R2IK43OVY5HV5BX2OFIGKNL4NY.jpg)
Rays clinch 2nd straight AL East title, beat Marlins 7-3
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.
![Rays' Franco extends streak, exits with hamstring tightness](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/14PH5PRhfBmnICrZqxCGW27K3ZE=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IRI7PC5LYVDBZCYTZL4H6VWKQA.jpg)
Rays' Franco extends streak, exits with hamstring tightness
Tampa Bay Rays rookie Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then exited in the first inning against Detroit because of tightness in his right hamstring.
![Cruz, 41, oldest to hit 3O HRs in year, Rays bop Bosox 12-7](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2iwCW0NO2tT4rSMQJUU1wVfE04o=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UO2IWQAQHNFTHEHA3Y3L6EGZOU.jpg)
Cruz, 41, oldest to hit 3O HRs in year, Rays bop Bosox 12-7
Nelson Cruz homered twice and, at 41 years old, became the oldest player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in a season, powering the Tampa Bay Rays past the Boston Red Sox 12-7.
![Meadows, Rays rally from 6 runs down, beat Bosox 11-10 in 10](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/97Vtlu5BSQw0yqPQzVrygyIjnzU=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HWAE3H7ZIBF55EM43E2CTZTYDA.jpg)
Meadows, Rays rally from 6 runs down, beat Bosox 11-10 in 10
Austin Meadows hit a tying, inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning, Nelson Cruz had a go-ahead single in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-10.
![Rays win 9th in row; Red Sox star Bogaerts tests positive](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/tdFS-hYmU9i6cJxd0hN6Jbm_Pfw=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YVOKCLEZNRAX3K3Y4ZVGJ2FGMM.jpg)
Rays win 9th in row; Red Sox star Bogaerts tests positive
Randy Arozarena, rookie Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays won their ninth straight game, breaking away from Boston soon after Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was pulled because of a positive COVID-19 test.
![Franco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/IbkkBeK89GXQX-3BQZbqQgm5ylc=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/X2RMWMVCFRFV5NPRFX2AATZXBM.jpg)
Franco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1
Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiรฑo pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth in a row, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-1.
![LEADING OFF: Bรกez, Mets barb home fans, anger team president](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/dEaAo8t_96tRvfQoKuzwPdiDxcY=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/B54EHQY6BBGG5K7IBUKYVKLIRM.jpg)
LEADING OFF: Bรกez, Mets barb home fans, anger team president
Javier Bรกez and his New York Mets teammates get a day to cool off after the derogatory gestures they directed toward frustrated fans at Citi Field angered club management.
![Rays rally past Red Sox 8-4, extend lead in AL East](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/rftvTKI7AQOkhhObPScaHVnIGqE=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2HSBIPLPENE5XD4JB4CUCLLJRE.jpg)
Rays rally past Red Sox 8-4, extend lead in AL East
Tampa Bayโs Francisco Mejรญa singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Bostonโs Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 on Tuesday night.
![Franco HR, double in debut, but Rays lose to Red Sox in 11th](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/xb4fCbL382VKB7f6xpEng0PZRBI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OIPEGJB2JRECDBHT6PYRJAGLD4.jpg)
Franco HR, double in debut, but Rays lose to Red Sox in 11th
Wander Franco hit a three-run homer and doubled in his big league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost their seventh straight in falling to the Boston Red Sox 9-5 in 11 innings.
![Top prospect Wander Franco homers in MLB debut for Rays](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/WHkasc2UOwPFuZYsNplSmcWmct0=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NCEFFCJLZVBVNFCPVZEYKFANLE.jpg)
Top prospect Wander Franco homers in MLB debut for Rays
Wander Franco, a 20-year-old infielder considered the best prospect in the minor leagues, homered for the Tampa Bay Rays in his major league debut, connecting for a three-run drive against Boston.
![LEADING OFF: Franco debut, Kershaw vs Snell, Hendricks hot](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ChQXyUrdsZjO1zF6Wb8SA7zU26U=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IEI47XAXVVDXJBL5KHSICVTFK4.jpg)
LEADING OFF: Franco debut, Kershaw vs Snell, Hendricks hot
Wander Franco, a 20-year-old infielder considered the best prospect in the minor leagues, is set to make his major league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
![LEADING OFF: Franco debut, Cole focus, Hendricks streak](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/7wVTCyYnLDUkl4jb8K-ZMXIHboY=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OR3JMB7QERGMDADD3AFR2IRRII.jpg)
LEADING OFF: Franco debut, Cole focus, Hendricks streak
Wander Franco, a 20-year-old infielder considered the best prospect in the minor leagues, was set to make his major league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
![Franco one of several top prospects picked for player pools](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/RQlgULSg_ZWSIjevnMpFWPHejjs=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NU6ZZSQ3BJE7ZOEGFC22X2NMBE.jpg)
Franco one of several top prospects picked for player pools
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Top prospect Wander Franco is part of the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-man player pool, and the Detroit Tigers are including their most heralded young pitchers as baseball gears up for its abbreviated season. Sunday was the deadline for teams to submit player pools, although additions can be made later. Pitcher Brendan McKay and infielder Vidal Brujan, two other top Tampa Bay prospects, also made the pool. They are some of our more advanced prospects," Rays general manager Erik Neander said. He's in their player pool, along with Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal, Alex Faedo and Franklin Perez.