Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco was granted probation Friday in the Dominican Republic for an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.
Two days earlier, the 22-year-old athlete was charged by the Puerto Plata prosecutor's office with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering.
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According to the Associated Press, a judge allowed Franco to leave the Dominican Republic. However, he has to return to his home country once a month to meet with the authorities. The man also posted $34,000 bail.
Last August, a 14-year-old girl said on social media that she was in a relationship with Franco. A police investigation was launched and a second report was filed. The City of San Domingo's Child and Youth Safety Department conducted two unsuccessful searches for Franco on December 26. However, the baseball player voluntarily turned himself in to prosecutors a few days later and was jailed for failing to comply with a subpoena.
The 14-year-old girl's mother also faces the same allegations as Franco. The latter allegedly received a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent.
Franco stopped working in Major League Baseball in August and finished his season with 58 RBIs in 112 games and a .281 batting average.
After his rookie season, the Rays' promising member signed a huge 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.