Wander Franco

The Rays shortstop is charged with sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic.

Prosecutors also say Franco paid the girl’s mother thousands of dollars to consent to the relationship, which lasted four months.

Franco is accused of committing sexual and psychological abuse of the minor. The deadline to press charges was July 5, but Dominican Republic law allows a judge to grant an extra 10 days for prosecutors to present their conclusions.

Tampa Bay’s All-Star shortstop has not played since Aug. 12 while MLB continues its investigation into an alleged relationship with a minor.

Franco, who has a $2 million salary this year, remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate.

Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation, and money laundering, following the investigation he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He has not been formally accused.

A judge in the Dominican Republic has ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. He is still facing allegations that he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in jail for now after being detained on Monday in Puerto Plata, where the alleged act occurred.

Wander Franco appeared before prosecutors Monday while accompanied by two lawyers, days after not showing up for a meeting with a Dominican Republic prosecutor.

Authorities in the shortstop's native Dominican Republic are looking into allegations that the All-Star had a relationship with a minor. He likely won't play again this season.