Wander Franco’s authorized troubles proceed to mount.
The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, who’s presently below investigation for alleged relationships with a number of underaged ladies, didn’t current himself to the Dominican Republic’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Children Adolescents in Santo Domingo for questioning.
Agency director Olga Diná Llaverías confirmed to reporters that Franco was a no-show, and that the investigation will proceed. “There are a few options in the investigative process,” she stated.
Franco and his authorized staff had been issued the necessary summons for 11 a.m. Thursday on Wednesday, after authorities within the Dominican Republic performed failed raids on his and his mom’s properties in Baní, in quest of him. According to the Associated Press, Franco has additionally dismissed his counsel.
On Aug. 13, Franco was accused of getting an inappropriate relationship with an underage woman. Major League Baseball opened an investigation that night time, and the Rays positioned him on the restricted checklist the next day. Every week later, the league put him on administrative depart. By month’s finish, the allegations had tripled. Franco, 22, is married and shares two youngsters along with his spouse, together with one born when he was 17 years previous.
“At least two people have filed legal action against Franco,” wrote ESPN’s Juan Arturo Recio on Thursday. “He is also under investigation for allegedly having a relationship with a third minor, sources told ESPN, although there has been no formal complaint to authorities from the third girl.”
No felony costs have been filed in opposition to Franco presently.
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The Red Sox have nonetheless solely spent $1 million in free company, and their path ahead is unclear.
While members of the group have publicly and privately acknowledged that beginning pitching is the clear precedence this offseason, that can solely be potential via a large spend or commerce. And, within the aftermath of dropping prime free-agent arm Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the Los Angeles Dodgers, there’s rising concern that Boston could also be pivoting from spending huge altogether.
The Red Sox have spoken to Scott Boras’ company, which represents Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell, two of the highest remaining starters available on the market. ESPN’s Enrique Rojas reported on Thursday that the Red Sox are focusing on Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez. They’ve additionally been linked to former White Sox star Lucas Giolito and Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga, whose posting window closes on Jan. 11.
However, probably the most lifelike addition in the intervening time is none aside from James Paxton, who signed with Boston two offseasons in the past. He grew to become a free agent in November, after lacking your entire ’22 season and pitching effectively for about half of his 96 innings this season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com