Judge grants MLB star Wander Franco permission to leave Dominican Republic amid sexual exploitation allegations

A Dominican judge on Friday ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco while he is investigated for allegations he had a brief relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a small car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The judge said Franco is allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but must return once a month to meet with authorities.

Franco, who was expected to be released early Saturday, did not speak to reporters after the hearing ended.