A Dominican appeals court revokes Wander Franco's pardon and gives him a suspended three-year sentence

An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Thursday revoked the judicial pardon that had spared Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco any sentence after his conviction for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.

The Puerto Plata Court of Appeal sentenced Franco to three years in prison, suspended under conditions, according to the Dominican government's news service. The Associated Press reported that Franco will not have to serve time in custody as long as he keeps a fixed residence and stays under judicial supervision. If he breaks the conditions, he serves the full three years.

Prosecutors had asked for five years. They argued the trial court misread the pardon provision, which they said is meant only for exceptional circumstances that did not apply to Franco. His defense objected, and the three-judge panel ruled for the prosecution. The court said it suspended the sentence in light of Franco's age and his eventual reintegration into society, the AP reported.

The court also upheld the 10-year prison sentence for the girl's mother, convicted of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, and ordered the forfeiture of about $34,000 found in her possession. Prosecutors said that money came from Franco in exchange for her consent to his relationship with her daughter.

Franco was arrested in January 2024, accused of a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time. ESPN reported he was originally convicted in June 2025. The pardon came in a May 25, 2026 ruling by a Puerto Plata trial court that again found him guilty, according to the government news service. Neither Franco nor his lawyers commented leaving the courthouse, and he can still appeal to the Dominican Supreme Court of Justice.

Major League Baseball declined to comment, the AP reported.

Franco, now 25, has not played in the majors since August 2023, when Dominican authorities announced their investigation. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. The Rays put him on the restricted list after his conviction, which stopped the pay he had been collecting on administrative leave.