An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Thursday revoked the judicial pardon that had been granted to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. Franco was convicted of the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.

The ruling sided with prosecutors. They argued the lower court misread legal provisions that are meant only for exceptional circumstances. They said those conditions did not apply to Franco.

The decision upholds Franco's conviction with a suspended three-year prison sentence. He will not have to serve time in custody as long as he keeps a fixed residence and stays under judicial supervision. If he breaks any of those conditions he would have to serve the full three years.

How the case began

Franco was arrested in January 2024. He was accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time and sending thousands of dollars to her mother to allow it. He was first convicted in June 2025.

The court said it set the conditional terms with Franco's age in mind and to support his eventual return to society. Franco is now 25.

The appeals court also upheld a 10-year prison sentence for the girl's mother for commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. It ordered about $34,000 found in her possession forfeited.

Career on hold

Franco signed an 11-year $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021. His career stopped in August 2023 when authorities announced they were investigating him. He has not played in the majors since.

Six months after his conviction, Tampa Bay put him on the restricted list. That ended the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

Franco and his lawyers did not speak as they left the courthouse. Major League Baseball declined to comment. Franco can still appeal to the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court of Justice.