New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was suspended 30 games by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for a domestic violence incident in October and becomes the first player to face discipline for violating the league's new policy.
Chapman, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a December trade, will not appeal the decision, a reversal from his previous stance that he would contest appeal any suspension.
He will remain with the Yankees throughout spring training and may participate in exhibition games, but his suspension - without pay - will commence on Opening Day. Chapman will be eligible to make his Yankee debut on May 9 at home against the Kansas City Royals.
The suspension indicates Commissioner Rob Manfred will make good on his promise to discipline players even in the absence of criminal charges or a conviction. Chapman, 27, was accused of choking his girlfriend, Cristina Barnea, during an Oct. 30 argument at his Davie, Fla. home. Chapman then smashed a window of a car in the home's garage, grabbed a handgun and fired eight rounds inside the garage.
Citing conflicting stories and lack of cooperation from Barnea and other witnesses, Davie police said there was insufficient evidence to charge Chapman with a crime.
Said Chapman in a prepared statement:
"Today, I accepted a 30 game suspension from Major League Baseball resulting from my actions on October 30, 2015. I want to be clear, I did not in any way harm my girlfriend that evening. However, I should have exercised better judgment with respect to certain actions, and for that I am sorry. The decision to accept a suspension, as opposed to appealing one, was made after careful consideration. I made this decision in an effort to minimize the distractions that an appeal would cause the Yankees, my new teammates and most importantly, my family.
"I have learned from this matter, and I look forward to being part of the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment."
Given the often difficult nature of prosecuting domestic violence cases, Commissioner Rob Manfred and the players' association negotiated a policy that stipulates discipline is possible, even likely, in the absence of a conviction.
Said Manfred in a statement released Tuesday:
“I asked my staff to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident involving Aroldis Chapman on October 30, 2015. Much of the information regarding the incident has been made public through documents released by law enforcement. Mr. Chapman submitted to an in-person interview with counsel present. After reviewing the staff report, I found Mr. Chapman’s acknowledged conduct on that day to be inappropriate under the negotiated Policy, particularly his use of a firearm and the impact of that behavior on his partner. I am gratified that Mr. Chapman has taken responsibility for his conduct, that he has agreed not to appeal the 30-game suspension, and that he has agreed to comply with the confidential directives of the Joint Policy Board established under the parties’ Policy to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.”
Manfred has two cases remaining on his docket, most notably Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, who faces charges of abuse of a family and/or household member" for an Oct. 31 incident at a Maui resort, and on Feb. 23 was placed on paid leave pending the resolution of his case.
Reyes, who has pleaded not guilty and faces an April 4 trial date, was involved in an incident with his wife that police allege turned physical. Reyes' wife, Katherine Ramirez, was treated at the scene and later transported to a Maui medical center; a 911 transcript indicates hotel security says she suffered injuries to her face, neck and leg.
When word of Chapman's incident became public in December, it scuttled a trade between the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. On Dec. 28, the Reds traded him to the Yankees for a lesser package of players than the Dodgers had offered. Chapman, eligible for free agency after this season, is expected to helm a Yankee bullpen that also includes All-Star set-up man Dellin Betances and the 2015 closer, Andrew Miller.
As Manfred's statement indicated, Chapman could face a number of additional requirements to earn reinstatement. MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, agreed to in August, created a seven-person Joint Policy Board, comprised of two members each from MLB and the players’ union, along with three experts in the field of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. One of the board’s expert members will submit a treatment plan to the full board for approval and oversee the player’s compliance with the plan.
A player’s treatment plan could include submitting to psychological evaluations, counseling sessions, court compliance, relocating from a home shared with his partner, limiting interactions with his partner, relinquishing of weapons and other “reasonable directives” to ensure safety of victims. Concurrently, the commissioner’s office will investigate any allegations of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse and can place the player on seven-day administrative league during the investigation, subject to appeal.
"The New York Yankees support the decision made by The Commissioner today," the team said in a statement. "We are pleased that Aroldis has accepted this discipline.”
Contributing: Bob Nightengale
GALLERY: NOTABLE RECENT MLB SUSPENSIONS
