Wander Franco\'s trial in the Dominican Republic is scheduled to begin Dec. 12, the attorney\'s office from Puerto Plata has announced.
The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop faces charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, which could result in a sentence of up to 20 years.
The court summoned Franco and the mother of the alleged abused child for the trial after an investigation that opened in 2022.
Franco, 23, was placed on Major League Baseball\'s restricted list in July after prosecutors in the Dominican Republic accused him of an alleged sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old girl.
He is also under an MLB investigation under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy until the case is resolved.
Via ESPN