The trial for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco starts Thursday.

The 23-year-old Franco is scheduled to go to trial in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Prosecutors also say he paid the mother of the minor thousands of dollars to let him do it.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Documents that prosecutors presented to a judge in July and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or $17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse.

The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.

His case will be heard by either three or five judges. There are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic. The trial could take months before completion.

Franco was in the midst of his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He had agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He hasn't suited up for the team since the allegations surfaced.

Major League Baseball is likely to wait until the Dominican trial is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline.

Franco has been free on supervised release, although he had been required to make monthly control visits to the judge.