.Sep 26, 2024, 03:06 PM ETTampa Gulf Rays shortstop Wander Franco will stand up trial on charges that he sexually mistreated a minor following a court's ruling Thursday in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.Judge Pascual Valenzuela identified that both the accusation and the evidence offered by the prosecution had enough merits to necessitate a hearing. Valenzuela would conclude on a judgment at the hearing, which does not have a set date yet.Franco was placed on Major League Baseball's restricted listing in July, resources had told ESPN, after district attorneys in the Dominican Commonwealth imposed three costs against him for a supposed sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old woman. Franco, 23, had actually gotten on management leave of absence as aspect of a deal between MLB and the gamers' organization. The arrangement featured a stipulation that administrative vacation, during the course of which Franco was paid for, will finish if he was actually charged.Editor's Picks1 RelatedFranco encounters costs of sexual assault, sexual profiteering against a slight as well as human trafficking. The fees hold a prospective sentence of approximately 20 years.He is likewise under an MLB examination under its own domestic violence, sexual offense and also kid misuse plan until the scenario is actually resolved.Because Franco can not leave behind the Dominican Republic under his bail deal, his failure to file allowed the Rays to seek the positioning of Franco on the restricted list.Also on Thursday, the dad of the lady, that in January submitted an issue versus Franco, connected with a contract with Franco's lawful reps and removed his complaint. The terms of the deal were actually certainly not revealed during the hearing.Juan Arturo Recio is an ESPN Personnel Author located in the Dominican Republic.