Rockies’ Jose Reyes suspended through May 31
Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, shown last year, is the second player to be suspended under baseball’s domestic violence policy, which was adopted last August.
Jose Reyes accepted a suspension through May 31 under baseball’s domestic violence policy, Major League Baseball announced Friday. Whether he plays another game for the Colorado Rockies remains to be seen.
The suspension will cost Reyes a little more than $7 million of his $22-million salary this season. He has agreed not to appeal. He also has agreed to participate in a treatment program and contribute $100,000 to organizations working to combat domestic abuse.
Reyes has been on administrative leave all season, with the suspension retroactive to Feb. 23. Reyes will be allowed to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment June 1. The unpaid suspension -- through May 31 -- covers the Rockies’ first 51 games.
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Reyes becomes the second player suspended under the domestic violence policy, which was adopted last August. New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman returned this week after serving a 30-game suspension.
No charges were filed against Chapman, who fired eight shots in a garage during an argument with his girlfriend. Reyes was charged with abuse of a family member after his wife suffered injuries to her face, neck and leg at a Hawaii hotel; the charges were later dropped after prosecutors said the wife declined to cooperate.
“I want to apologize for everything that has happened,” Reyes said.
He added: “My wife, Katherine, has remained by my side throughout everything and for that I will be forever grateful.”
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Baseball’s domestic violence policy empowers the commissioner to levy a suspension even if charges are not filed.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera has been on leave since April 13 as the league investigates a domestic violence allegation against him. He has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery after an incident with a female acquaintance in a Virginia hotel.
In March, the league cleared Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig after finding no evidence to substantiate a claim that he had hit his sister at a Miami bar.
In Reyes’ absence, rookie Trevor Story won the Rockies’ shortstop job in spring training. Story, 23, is batting .266 with 11 home runs, second in the National League to teammate Nolan Arenado.
The Rockies are expected to try to trade Reyes, who has $26 million left beyond this year on his contract, originally signed with the Miami Marlins in 2011. If the Rockies cannot trade Reyes -- and they likely would have to pay off a significant portion of the remaining salary in order to do so -- they might consider releasing him. In that case, they would have to pay off the balance of the contract.
Twitter: @BillShaikin
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