Controversial MLB Star Robbed as a Million Vanishes in Dominican Republic Hotel Heist

Back in July 2025, D-Backs star Ketel Marte’s Arizona home was robbed while he was playing in the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta at the time. He later reported that the thieves gotten away with more than $400,000 worth of valuables. Well, something similar has just happened, and this time involving former Rays shortstop Wander Franco.

Franco, who’s already had multiple off-field issues in recent years, revealed that he was robbed while he was staying at a hotel in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This isn’t the first time he has reported a theft. He also reported being the victim of a robbery back in 2022.

So, this latest incident adds another layer to the challenges this MLB player has been facing off the field. “Wander Franco reported that he was the victim of a robbery at a hotel in Sosúa, Puerto Plata, DR, where he claimed to have left two million pesos (US$37,746) in his room and upon returning found only half (US$15,873),” MLB insider Hector Gomez captioned on X along with a clip of Franco talking about the robbery in Spanish.

In the clip, Wander Franco said he left about 2 million Dominican pesos in his hotel room before heading out to train. And when he came back, half of it, roughly 1 million pesos, was gone. The MLB star was clearly frustrated. He said the incident happened right there in the hotel where he’s staying.

However, Franco didn’t mention if he’s filed an official complaint yet. But he stressed that he expects the situation to be investigated and explained. Notably, as one of the most well-known sportspersons in the country, Franco also used the moment to call out concerns about security in hotels in the northern part of the country.

And all these happened amid Franco’s race to get into the MLB scene again.

Wander Franco: And a shattered dream of MLB

Back in 2023, Wander Franco looked like one of the brightest young stars in MLB. He had already earned his first All-Star selection, carrying a .282 batting average that backed up all the hype surrounding him as one of the Rays’ cornerstone players. But the narrative flipped quickly.

By August 2024, Franco was placed on the Rays’ restricted list after serious allegations came to light. MLB, along with a specialized Division in the Dominican Republic, launched investigations. And shortly afterward, the league put him on indefinite administrative leave. That effectively removed him from the game, cutting short what looked like a superstar trajectory.

Moreover, his subsequent conviction in 2024 only complicated matters further, making it nearly impossible for him to secure a U.S. work visa, which he would need for any potential MLB return. Since then, Franco has been trying to find a way back, hoping to rebuild both his career and his reputation. But just as that uphill climb seemed to be beginning, he was hit with this latest setback. Losing a significant amount of money isn’t just about the financial blow; it highlights the instability surrounding him and how difficult it will be to re-establish himself.