Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Franco walkswho is awaiting trial in a case of sexual abusewas arrested for his involvement in an armed altercation in the rural Dominican Republic, police said Monday.

Meregirdo Espinosa, a spokesman for the Dominican police, told The Associated Press that the altercation took place in a parking lot in San Juan de la Maguana, 116 miles west of Santo Domingo. Franco was arrested on Sunday. Another man and a woman were also detained and two firearms were seized, police said.

Espinosa said one of the guns likely belonged to Franco, who was allegedly fighting with the other man over the woman’s attention.

Police did not say if they were injured.

Franco, 23, is scheduled to go on trial on December 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a case of sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor and human trafficking.

Franco was released on parole on January 5, four days after his arrest on the abuse charges.

Franco, who declined to speak to the media, said of the case: “Everything is in God’s hands.”

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

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, waiving the pay he was receiving while on administrative leave.