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Rays' Wander Franco has reportedly been arrested again in the Dominican Republic

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Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays' All-Star shortstop who is already on Major League Baseball's banned list and awaiting trial on sexual abuse charges in the Dominican Republic, was reportedly shot dead Sunday after an altercation in which guns were drawn were arrested again.

Franco, 23, and an unidentified woman were arrested Sunday in San Juan de la Maguana, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) northwest of Santo Domingo, ESPN first reported, and held for questioning.

Franco hasn't played for the Rays since August 2023, when he was first accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a then-14-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic. He was placed on administrative leave and then placed on MLB's restricted list earlier this year after facing charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of minors and human trafficking in the Dominican Republic.

Franco's trial on these charges was scheduled to begin on December 12.

An MLB spokesman said the league was aware of Monday's report about Franco's arrest but would not comment at this time.

Franco faces up to 20 years in prison on his previous charges, and MLB continues to investigate violations of its shared policies on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

Franco was named to his first All-Star team in July 2023 and was in the second year of an 11-year, $182 million contract when he was placed on administrative leave. While he awaits trial, he is barred from entering the Dominican Republic.

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