MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced his decision on Tuesday regarding the Aroldis Chapman incident, suspending the Yankees' closer 30 games for his alleged incident in October. The decision comes under the league's new domestic violence policy, the first under the policy that came together last August.
Chapman will not appeal the suspension, but still claims to this day that he did not harm his girlfriend that night. He did admit to needing to have better judgement in his actions. He also issued an apology to his new team and teammates for the distractions.
The 30-game ban will go into effect on Opening Day, costing Chapman $1,856,557 of his pay. Despite the 30-game absence, he will still reach six years of major league service, making him eligible for free agency after this season.
The former Cincinnati Red will be able to participate in all Spring Training games. He will also be eligible to return May 9th against the Kansas City Royals, even if New York does not play all 30 games as scheduled due to postponements.
The Yankees acquired Chapman from the Reds in January in exchange for four minor league players. The investigation stems from an October 30th incident where the closer allegedly choked his girlfriend during an argument. Chapman claims that he poked 22-year-old, Cristina Barnea. The incident caused a deal that sent him to the Dodgers to be vetoed by the league.
The flame-throwing left-hander has since approached this incident head-on, taking all questions, but has the mentality of focusing on the game of baseball from here on out.
Chapman will not appeal the suspension, but still claims to this day that he did not harm his girlfriend that night. He did admit to needing to have better judgement in his actions. He also issued an apology to his new team and teammates for the distractions.
The 30-game ban will go into effect on Opening Day, costing Chapman $1,856,557 of his pay. Despite the 30-game absence, he will still reach six years of major league service, making him eligible for free agency after this season.
The former Cincinnati Red will be able to participate in all Spring Training games. He will also be eligible to return May 9th against the Kansas City Royals, even if New York does not play all 30 games as scheduled due to postponements.
The Yankees acquired Chapman from the Reds in January in exchange for four minor league players. The investigation stems from an October 30th incident where the closer allegedly choked his girlfriend during an argument. Chapman claims that he poked 22-year-old, Cristina Barnea. The incident caused a deal that sent him to the Dodgers to be vetoed by the league.
The flame-throwing left-hander has since approached this incident head-on, taking all questions, but has the mentality of focusing on the game of baseball from here on out.
