Wander Franco Arrested in Dominican Republic

Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, was arrested in the Dominican Republic following an armed altercation in a parking lot, police confirmed. The incident involved Franco and another man disputing over a woman's attention, resulting in guns being drawn, although no injuries were reported. Franco, 23, is facing serious legal challenges, including charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking related to a 14-year-old girl, with a trial scheduled for December 12. He has been on administrative leave from Major League Baseball since July after being placed on the restricted list. Franco's legal troubles halted his career, which had included a significant contract extension worth $182 million. As he awaits trial, he is prohibited from leaving the Dominican Republic but is legally allowed to possess a firearm under local laws.