Jose Reyes put on paid leave until domestic violence case resolved

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes won't play in any games until his legal troubles are resolved. Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Reyes will go on paid leave during spring training. Reyes was arrested following a domestic incident in November after allegedly assaulting his wife.

In a statement, commissioner Rob Manfred said Reyes will remain on paid leave "pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii."

 

Manfred's entire statement read:

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Jose Reyes has been placed on paid leave pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii, pursuant to Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Section III.C.2 of the Policy permits the Commissioner to impose a paid suspension pending resolution of the legal proceedings or an investigation.

Upon resolution of Reyes’ criminal proceedings and the completion of the Commissioner's Office's investigation into the incident, Commissioner Manfred will make a decision whether to impose discipline on Reyes. The Commissioner's Office will have no further comment on this matter until a final disposition is announced.

Reyes' trial is set to take place April 4, which happens to be opening day. Based on the wording in Manfred's statement, that means Reyes' suspension could extend into the regular season. Reyes' paid leave only counts towards games he misses once the regular season begins, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports. Players are not paid during spring training.

Under the league’s new domestic violence, which was announced in August, Manfred holds ultimate power of punishment in these types of cases. According to the language in the policy, Manfred “can issue the discipline he believes is appropriate in light of the severity of the conduct.”

In all cases, the policy says Manfred is allowed to suspend players with pay for seven days while the league investigates the matter. Or, like what’s happening with Reyes, the commissioner can suspend a player until legal proceedings are completed.

Even if Reyes is found not guilty, or the case is resolved prior to his trial date, Manfred can still choose to suspend Reyes under baseball's new domestic violence policy. Once the legal proceedings are completed, Manfred also has the option to convert Reyes' paid leave to an unpaid suspension.

The MLB Players Association also released a statement Tuesday saying the organization is monitoring Reyes' legal proceedings. If Manfred pursues further punishment against Reyes, or the MLBPA feels the commissioner has not acted in a timely fashion once the proceedings are completed, it will "work with Mr. Reyes to ensure that all of his rights under the Policy are protected."

Reyes, New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Los Angeles Dodgers outfieler Yasiel Puig are all currently being investigated under MLB's new policy. Of the three, Reyes was the only player to be charged by police. Manfred has yet to issue statements regarding Chapman or Puig.